Petition Signature Bill Passed

The House passed Senate legislation on Wednesday that prohibits the state from counting signatures for ballot proposals and constitutional amendments outside the 180-day window.

SB 776 passed 57-52 with House Democrats and Republican legislators Representative John Bizon (R-Battle Creek), Representative Edward Canfield (R-Sebewaing), Representative Martin Howrylak (R-Troy), Representative Holly Hughes (R-White River Township), Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) and Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) voting against the measure. The House Elections Committee adopted an amendment to extend the effective date to January 1, 2017, however the House passed the Senate version of the bill that does not include this language.

Starting immediately, petition signatures collected more than 180 days before the constitutional amendments or initiated legislation proposals are turned into the state will not be counted. House Minority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) attempted two amendments to reinstate the 2017 language into the bill, but was unsuccessful. Representative Singh also tried to get a roll call vote on the immediate effect on the bill, stating the two-thirds threshold was not met.

SB 776 has been sent to Governor Rick Snyder for approval.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, May 20, 2016 11:19 AM
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