Bill > H696

This bill aims to provide greater disclosure requirements for political phone calls, particularly those involving "push-polling" tactics. The key provisions include: 1. Defining "bona fide survey and opinion research" to distinguish it from push-polling, which is defined as a type of political call that misleadingly presents itself as a survey to influence voter opinions. 2. Requiring any entity engaged in push-polling to disclose at the start of the call that it is a "paid political advertisement," identify the organization making and paying for the call, provide a valid phone number for the organization, and identify the candidate(s) the call is supporting or opposing. 3. Prohibiting callers from stating or implying false or fictitious names or phone numbers when providing the required disclosures. 4. Establishing a fine of up to $1,000 for violations of these new disclosure requirements. The overall intent is to promote transparency around political phone calls and prevent deceptive campaign tactics that could unduly influence voters.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H696