HB 1554 Summary

• Defines "persuasion poll" as a telephone survey with more than 100 calls that references a candidate and is designed to provide negative information or influence voting, subject to specific disclosure requirements at the beginning and end of calls.

• Requires callers to disclose their name, the sponsor and authorizer of the call, phone number, address, and candidate information; prohibits false or fictitious names and requires clear, intelligible disclosure that can be repeated upon request.

• Prohibits persuasion poll calls on election day or within five days before an election, and prohibits blocking caller ID display; violations are Class B misdemeanors, or Class A misdemeanor for repeat caller ID blocking.

• Establishes civil penalties of up to three times the amount expended for sponsors and up to $10,000 per poll for those conducting or administering non-compliant persuasion polls, plus investigative costs.

• Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly or recklessly participate in preparing or disseminating false political advertising or campaign material about a candidate; candidates convicted or found complicit forfeit their nomination or elected office unless the violation was trivial or occurred despite good faith.