LRB-3894/2
JTK:kmg:km
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
September 25, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives Bell, Baldwin, Grobschmidt,
Gronemus, Handrick, Huber, Kaufert, Notestein, Wasserman, Wilder, L.
Young and R. Young, cosponsored by Senator Burke. Referred to Committee
on Elections and Constitutional Law.
AB577,1,2
1An Act to create 11.335 of the statutes;
relating to: use of state funds to
2question individuals concerning political party affiliation or support.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill prohibits any state elected official from using state funds for the cost
of materials for or distribution of any written communication which contains a
question to be answered by the individual to whom it is distributed concerning the
individual's membership in, affiliation with, support for or opposition to, or
inclination to support or oppose any political party or the candidates of any political
party.
Currently, state elected officials may communicate with individuals concerning
matters related to their official functions at state expense. There is no express
prohibition against communications relating to political party affiliation or support.
Violations of the prohibition created by the bill are subject to a forfeiture (civil
penalty) of not more than $500 for each violation. Intentional violators are guilty of
a misdemeanor and may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more
than 6 months or both.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB577, s. 1
3Section
1. 11.335 of the statutes is created to read:
AB577,2,3
411.335 Questions concerning political party affiliation or support. (1) 5No person who is elected to state office may use state funds for the cost of materials
6for or distribution of any written communication which contains a question to be
1answered by the individual to whom it is distributed concerning the individual's
2membership in, affiliation with, support for or opposition to, or inclination to support
3or oppose any political party or the candidates of any political party.
