MI HB5521

Electric utilities and natural gas utilities are prohibited from making donations or contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations, 527 organizations, candidate committees, political party committees, political committees, independent committees, or separate segregated funds.

Prohibited donations include those made to 501(c)(4) or 527 organizations controlled by or employing state candidates, elected officials, former elected officials (within 2 years), appointed state officials, or their affiliates, as well as organizations where these officials sit on the board.

Violations result in fines of not less than 5 times and not greater than 10 times the amount of the prohibited donation or contribution.

Definitions of key terms including "affiliate" (family members, employees, contract employees, or staff of covered officials), "candidate," "elected state official," and "former elected state official" reference the Michigan campaign finance act.

The prohibition applies to utilities and any affiliated persons under the regulated utility framework established in 1939 PA 3.