House State Affairs Kills Disclaimer Fines on Campaign Ads
Air Date:02/23/2011
By Travis Berg
The House State Affairs Committee killed a bill that assesses penalties for candidates who don't disclose who paid for their campaign ads. State law makes it illegal to not disclose that information, but there is no penalty assessed. The proposal charges candidates 50 dollars per day that they run the ad without the disclaimer. Political Parties are charged ten dollars per day. However, the Secretary of State has the authority to waive the penalty if the circumstances call for it. Democrat Representative Peggy Gibson says it will get discriminatory.
Gibson says, "However, it is, with this may, up to your discretion to fine that person. And I take issue with that. I'm not comfortable with this language unless you list absolutely everything that is not required to have a disclaimer on it. Because this is too ambiguous and it's up to too much discretion on your part."
Proponents say the list can't be too specific because they might overlook some items. Opponents want a list that is more black and white. The bill lost by a 12 to one vote.
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