Bill Text: CA SB226 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Senate Bill 226 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Political Reform Act of 1974: slate mailers.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-10-15 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 855, Statutes of 2017. [SB226 Detail]

Download: California-2017-SB226-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 226

Introduced by Senator Hertzberg

February 02, 2017

An act to amend Section 84305.7 of the Government Code, relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 226, as introduced, Hertzberg. Political Reform Act of 1974: slate mailers.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 regulates a type of mass mailings known as slate mailers, that support or oppose multiple candidates or ballot measures for an election. The act requires a slate mailer organization that displays a logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark that is identical or substantially similar to that of a governmental agency or specified nongovernmental organization to obtain express written permission to do so.

This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that provision.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 84305.7 of the Government Code is amended to read:

84305.7.

(a) If a slate mailer organization sends a slate mailer or other mass mailing that displays a logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark that is identical or substantially similar to the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark of a governmental agency, and that would reasonably be understood to imply the participation or endorsement of that governmental agency, the slate mailer organization shall obtain ~~the~~ express written consent of from the governmental agency associated with the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark prior to using the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark in the slate mailer or other mass mailing.

(b) If a slate mailer organization sends a slate mailer or other mass mailing that displays a logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark that is identical or substantially similar to the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark of a nongovernmental organization that represents law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical, or other public safety personnel, and that would reasonably be understood to imply the participation or endorsement of that nongovernmental organization, the slate mailer organization shall obtain ~~the~~ express written consent of from the nongovernmental organization associated with the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark prior to using the logo, insignia, emblem, or trademark in the slate mailer or other mass mailing.

(c) If a slate mailer organization sends a slate mailer or other mass mailing that identifies itself or its source material as representing a nongovernmental organization with a name that includes the term “peace officer,” “reserve officer,” “deputy,” “deputy sheriff,” “sheriff,” “police,” “highway patrol,” “California Highway Patrol,” “law enforcement,” “firefighter,” “fire marshal,” “paramedic,” “emergency medical technician,” “public safety,” or any other term that would reasonably be understood to imply that the organization is composed of, or affiliated with, law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical, or other public safety personnel, the slate mailer or mass mailing shall disclose on the outside of each piece of mail and on at least one of the inserts included with each piece of mail in no less than 12-point roman type, which shall be in a color or print that contrasts with the background so as to be easily legible, the total number of members in the organization identified in the slate mailer or mass mailing.