LRB-2965/1
JTK:med:rs
2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE
November 16, 2011 - Introduced by Representatives Bernard Schaber, Doyle,
Berceau, Danou, Hebl, Pope-Roberts, Ringhand, Zepnick
and Sinicki,
cosponsored by Senators Taylor, Holperin and King. Referred to Committee
on Election and Campaign Reform.
AB378,1,3 1An Act to amend 11.30 (2) (b) and (c) and 11.30 (2) (em); and to create 11.30 (2)
2(dm) of the statutes; relating to: the form and content of certain
3communications made for political purposes.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Currently, the committee, group, or individual making payment or
reimbursement or assuming responsibility for a political communication must
ensure that certain information identifying the source of the communication appears
on or in the communication.
This bill adds two additional requirements. Under the bill, each
communication must include an Internet site or telephone number where the
committee, group, or individual making payment or reimbursement or assuming
responsibility for the communication may be contacted. The bill also provides that
in a radio communication, all information that is currently required or required
under the bill must be spoken at the beginning and end of the communication, and
in a television communication, all such information must appear on the screen
during the entire communication over the full width of the screen and must be
readable by viewers of the communication. Violators 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 six months, or both.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB378, s. 1 1Section 1. 11.30 (2) (b) and (c) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB378,2,102 11.30 (2) (b) Every such communication the cost of which is paid for or
3reimbursed by a committee or group, or for which a committee or group assumes
4responsibility, whether by the acceptance of a contribution or by the making of a
5disbursement, shall be identified by the words "Paid for by" followed by the name of
6the committee or group making the payment or reimbursement or assuming
7responsibility for the communication and, the name of the treasurer or other
8authorized agent of such committee or group, and an Internet site or telephone
9number where the committee or group making payment or reimbursement or
10assuming responsibility for the communication may be contacted
.
AB378,2,2011 (c) Every such communication which is directly paid for or reimbursed by an
12individual, including a candidate without a personal campaign committee who is
13serving as his or her own treasurer, or for which an individual assumes
14responsibility, whether by the acceptance of a contribution or by the making of a
15disbursement, shall be identified by the words "Paid for by" followed by the name of
16the candidate or other individual making the payment or reimbursement or
17assuming responsibility for the communication, and an Internet site or telephone
18number where the individual making payment or reimbursement or assuming
19responsibility for the communication may be contacted
. No abbreviation may be
20used in identifying the name of a committee or group under this paragraph.
AB378, s. 2 21Section 2. 11.30 (2) (dm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB378,3,9
111.30 (2) (dm) A committee, group, or individual making payment or
2reimbursement or assuming responsibility for a radio communication shall ensure
3that the information required to be communicated under pars. (a) to (c) is spoken at
4the beginning and end of the communication. A committee, group, or individual
5making payment or reimbursement or assuming responsibility for a television
6communication shall ensure that the information required to be communicated
7under pars. (a) to (c) appears on the screen during the full length of any television
8communication over the full width of the screen, and is readable to viewers of the
9communication.
AB378, s. 3 10Section 3. 11.30 (2) (em) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB378,3,1511 11.30 (2) (em) The source of each printed advertisement, billboard, handbill,
12paid television or radio advertisement or other communication made for the purpose
13of influencing the recall from or retention in office of an individual holding a state
14or local office shall clearly appear thereon in the manner prescribed in pars. (b) and,
15(c), and (dm).
AB378, s. 4 16Section 4. Initial applicability.
AB378,3,1817 (1) This act first applies with respect to communications made on and after the
18effective date of this subsection.
AB378,3,1919 (End)
Loading...
Loading...