Bill Text: NJ A3971 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits Governor or Lieutenant Governor from appearing in certain announcements and federal or State-funded advertisements during gubernatorial election year.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [A3971 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A3971-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOSEPH CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits Governor or Lieutenant Governor from appearing in certain announcements and federal or State-funded advertisements during gubernatorial election year.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act prohibiting the Governor or the Lieutenant Governor from appearing in certain announcements and federal or State-funded advertisements during gubernatorial election year, and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
"Broadcast media" means any printed materials and any radio, television, cable television, computer, or other electronic media disseminating information to members of the public.
"Federal or State-funded advertisement" means any notice to the public transmitted by the broadcast media which is paid for, in whole or in part, from State funds or federal funds received by this State.
b. No person serving as Governor or Lieutenant Governor of this State shall permit his or her name, voice, or live, videotaped, photographic, computer-generated, or drawn image to be used in a public service announcement, or in any federal or State-funded advertisement, transmitted by the broadcast media during any year in which there is a gubernatorial election until the day after the general election held that year, if that person is seeking election or re-election as Governor or Lieutenant Governor during that year.
c. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any person serving as Governor or Lieutenant Governor during any year in which there is a gubernatorial election from appearing in a bonafide news story or emergency announcement transmitted by the broadcast media, which is not paid for, in whole or in part, out of federal or State funds, or in a paid political advertisement including an advertisement which is paid for with funds appropriated from the Gubernatorial Elections Fund, established pursuant to N.J.S.54A:9-25.1.
d. A violation of section shall be punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $10,000. The Election Law Enforcement Commission shall enforce the provisions of this act.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the Governor or the Lieutenant Governor from appearing in public service announcements and federal or State-funded advertisements transmitted by the broadcast media during any year in which there is a gubernatorial election until the day after the general election held that year, if that person is seeking election or re-election as Governor or Lieutenant Governor during that year. The bill's purpose is to prevent the Governor or the Lieutenant Governor from using certain broadcasts to promote his or her political career, or the election of those with whom he or she is affiliated, during any year in which there is a gubernatorial election. The bill would not affect bonafide news stories, emergency announcements or paid political announcements.
A violation of this act would be punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $10,000.
