LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Two Michigan lawmakers are backing bills that would close a loophole in the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA) and hold the secretary of state’s feet to the fire.

State Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia) and State Senator Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen) introduced House Bill 4642 and Senate Bill 422. Those bills would amend the MCFA so Michigan’s Secretary of State could not skate on campaign finance violations.

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The bills directly respond to Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel’s recent finding that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, also a Democrat, violated the MCFA. However, those findings mean nothing since there are no enforcement mechanisms for Benson to face consequences.

Under the bills, the secretary of state, his or her family, or connected campaigns can be referred to the attorney general’s office. In addition, it holds the violator of campaign finance law accountable through “informal resolutions, civil fines, or criminal penalties. In addition, Rigas and Lindsey maintain the bills prioritize transparency and mandate public disclosure of complaints and agreements.

Rigas said the bill will restore trust in Michigan’s electoral system. “No one, especially not the Secretary of State, should be immune from accountability,” Rigas said. “We’re fixing a broken system to ensure fairness and uphold the law.”

Sen. Lindsey agreed, saying no one is above the law. “Secretary Benson’s failures in office are evident, and her violation of the MCFA is not surprising given her pattern of disregarding the rules,” Lindsey said. “Our bill will implement measures to ensure that no Secretary of State can violate the law without consequence.”

Benson announced her 2026 gubernatorial campaign in January. She gave the announcement in the Richard H. Austin Building in Lansing, which violated MCFA.