House Committee OKs Bill Clarifying Ballot Proposal Law

LANSING (AP) - A state House committee has approved a new bill clarifying what local officials are allowed to distribute about upcoming ballot proposals.

The measure was approved Wednesday and now goes to the House floor for debate and possible revision.

It follows a law Gov. Rick Snyder signed this year that prohibits public money or resources from being used to disseminate information about local ballot measures through TV and radio ads, mass mailings or robocalls in the 60 days before an election.

Some school and local government officials filed a lawsuit last week, saying the law restricts their free-speech rights and would prevent them from informing voters about proposals.

Alto Republican Lisa Posthumus Lyons says her bill would clarify what can be distributed, including the ballot language and election date.