HOUSE BILL NO. 69 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled December 7, 2007 A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-956.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-956.01, relating to requirements for print media advertisements sponsored by a political party committee and persons and committees other than a candidate campaign or political party committee. ---------- Patron-- Marshall, R.G. ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 24.2-956.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 24.2-956.01 as follows:

§ 24.2-956.01. Requirements for print media advertisements sponsored by a political party committee.

It shall be unlawful for any political party committee to sponsor a print media advertisement that constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) unless the following requirements are met:

1. It bears the legend or includes the statement: "Paid for by ..................... [Name of political party committee]."

2. In an advertisement supporting the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates, the sponsoring political party committee states whether it is authorized by a candidate. The visual legend in the advertisement shall state either "Authorized by — [Name of candidate], candidate for — [Name of office]" or "Not authorized by a candidate."

3. In an advertisement that identifies a candidate that the political party committee is opposing, the political party committee shall obtain the permission of the political party's candidate who is intended to benefit from the advertisement before sponsoring the advertisement. The visual legend in the advertisement shall state "This advertisement is intended to benefit and is authorized by —[name of candidate intended to be benefited], [political party affiliation] candidate for —[name of office]."

4. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall name all the sponsors.

5. Any disclosure statement required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner.

§ 24.2-956.1. Requirements for print media advertisements sponsored by a person or political committee, other than a candidate campaign committee or political party committee.

The provisions of this section shall apply to persons and political committees other than political party committees. It shall be unlawful for any person or political committee to sponsor a print media advertisement that constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) unless the following requirements are met:

 1. It bears the legend or includes the statement: "Paid for by  ............
 —Name of person or political committee]."

2. In an advertisement supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates, the sponsor states whether it is authorized by a candidate. The visual legend in the advertisement shall state either "Authorized by —Name of candidate], candidate for —Name of office]" or "Not authorized by a candidate."

3. In an advertisement that identifies a candidate the sponsor is opposing, the sponsor must disclose in the advertisement the name of the candidate who is intended to benefit from the advertisement, if the sponsor coordinates with, or has the authorization of, the benefited candidate.

4. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall name all the sponsors.

5. Any disclosure statement required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner.

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