SB125: Bill Text

LRB-2179/1

JTK:mfd:jf

1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE

1997 Senate BILL 125

March 18, 1997 - Introduced by Senators Moen, C. Potter, Clausing, Rosenzweig, Wineke, Decker and Plache, cosponsored by Representatives Freese, J. Lehman, Underheim, Black, Meyer, Bock, Skindrud, Grothman, Hasenohrl, Turner, Notestein, Murat, Baumgart, Hahn, Gronemus, Wasserman, Cullen, Boyle, Seratti, Ryba, Brandemuehl, Springer, Rutkowski and Harsdorf. Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and Government Operations.

SB125,1,3 An Act to amend 11.30 (5) of the statutes; relating to: required disclosures by persons who receive payment from other persons for the cost of conducting certain polls.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, whenever a person receives payment from another person, in cash or in-kind, for the direct or indirect cost of conducting a poll concerning support or opposition to a candidate, political party or referendum, the person conducting the poll must, upon request of the person who is polled, disclose the name and address of the person making payment for the poll and, in the case of a registrant under the Wisconsin campaign finance law, the name of the treasurer of the person making payment.

This bill provides that any such person who conducts such a poll must disclose this information to the person who is polled regardless of whether a request for the information is made and before making any other communication with the person who is polled.

Violators are subject to a forfeiture (civil penalty) of not more than $500 for each offense. 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, for each offense.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB125, s. 1 Section 1. 11.30 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB125,2,8 11.30 (5) Whenever any person receives payment from another person, in cash or in-kind, for the direct or indirect cost of conducting a poll concerning support or opposition to a candidate, political party or referendum, the person conducting the poll shall, upon request of any person who is polled, disclose to the person who is polled the name and address of the person making payment for the poll and, in the case of a registrant under s. 11.05, the name of the treasurer of the person making payment, before making any other communication with the person who is polled.

SB125,2,9 (End)