This bill amends the current law regarding the identification of political advertising by removing the requirement for such advertising printed on billboards to be marked as "Political Advertising." The new language specifies that political advertising in newspapers and periodicals must still be marked, but the requirement for billboards has been eliminated. Additionally, the bill introduces penalties for violations of this identification requirement, stating that individuals or organizations that fail to comply will be guilty of a violation, subject to a fine of up to $50 for the first offense, and a civil penalty of $1,000 for any subsequent violations within a five-year period.

The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage and is expected to have indeterminable fiscal impacts on state and local governments due to potential changes in judicial and correctional costs associated with the new penalties. While the bill does not project any revenue generation, it may lead to an increase in civil cases in the Superior Court, although the exact number of such cases is unpredictable. The bill has been reviewed by various agencies, including the Judicial Branch and the Department of Justice, to assess its implications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 664:16
As Amended by the Senate: 664:16