hb569.html

09 LC 28 4651

House Bill 569

By: Representatives Scott of the 153rd and Oliver of the 83rd

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections, so as to provide certain requirements for the identification of campaign communications, advertising, and literature; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections, is amended by revising Code Section 21-5-31, which is reserved, as follows:

"21-5-31.

(a) Persons who make expenditures for the purpose of financing any communication through any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, mailing, or any other type of general public political advertising or literature for the purpose of expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate shall:

(1) If paid for and authorized by a candidate or the campaign committee of a candidate, or the agent of either, clearly state that the communication has been paid for by such candidate or campaign committee;

(2) If paid for by other persons or entities but authorized by a candidate or the campaign committee of a candidate, or the agent of either, clearly state that the communication has been paid for by such other persons and is authorized by such candidate or campaign committee; or

(3) If not authorized by a candidate or the campaign committee of a candidate, or the agent of either, clearly state the name and permanent street address, telephone number, or Internet address of the person who paid for the communication and state that the communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's campaign committee.

(b) No person shall use the name or any colorable imitation of the name of an existing person or organization for the purpose of endorsing, circulating, or publishing campaign material without the authorization of such person or organization. As used in this subsection, the term 'any colorable imitation' means any name purposefully used so that a person reading such name will be misled into believing that such campaign material is being endorsed, circulated, or published by a person or organization other than the true endorser, circulator, or publisher.

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.