Michigan Senate Bill SB0306

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/15/25
• Refer: 5/15/25

Caption

Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; use of campaign funds to pay for child care expenses; allow. Amends secs. 3, 6 & 9 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.).

Impact

If enacted, SB 306 would significantly impact Michigan's campaign finance laws by clarifying the definition of allowable expenditures related to campaign finances. By explicitly permitting candidates to spend campaign funds on caregiving expenses, the bill acknowledges the need for greater support for candidates with family responsibilities. This change could potentially encourage more individuals, particularly women and caregivers, to run for office by easing some of the financial pressures they face in managing both personal and campaign responsibilities.

Summary

Senate Bill 306 is a legislative proposal to amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act of 1976. The key objective of this bill is to accommodate provisions that allow candidates for elective office to utilize campaign funds for childcare expenses associated with their candidacy. This inclusion is aimed at recognizing the financial burdens some candidates may face, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, making it easier for them to participate in the political process.

Contention

Despite its supportive intentions, SB 306 is likely to encounter debate among lawmakers. Some legislators may express concerns about the potential for misuse of campaign funds if expenditures related to childcare are not strictly regulated. Critics may argue that this could lead to a slippery slope where too many expenses are deemed permissible under campaign financing, blurring the lines between personal and campaign-related costs. Proponents, on the other hand, may advocate for the bill as a necessary step toward inclusivity in political representation, emphasizing the importance of eliminating barriers for those who might otherwise be deterred by caregiving obligations.