I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2370 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 12, 2009 Mrs. Maloney (for herself and Mr. Petri) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration A BILL To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the disclosure of certain information by persons conducting phone banks during campaigns for election for Federal office, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Voters’ Right to Know Act of 2009.

2.

Disclosure of information by persons conducting phone banks during Federal election campaigns

(a)

Application of advertising disclaimer rules

Section 318(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441d(a)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting after section 304(f)(3)) the following: or any communication through a Federal election phone bank described in subsection (e),. (b)

Federal election phone bank described

Section 318 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441d) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (e)

Federal election phone banks

(1)

Additional disclosure requirements

In addition to any information required to be disclosed under this section or otherwise reported under this Act, each person who conducts a Federal election phone bank shall report to the Commission the following information: (A)The total cost of conducting the phone bank. (B)All sources of funds used to conduct the phone bank (other than any contribution for which information is otherwise required to be reported under this Act). (C)The total number of households contacted. (D)A copy of the questions asked or information provided to respondents. (2)

Definition

Except as provided in paragraph (3), in this section, a Federal election phone bank means a project under which an aggregate number of not fewer than 1,500 households are contacted by telephone during the 25-day period which ends on the date of an election for Federal office and— (A)are asked to state a preference in the election or to state the likelihood of their support of any candidate; (B)are asked to make a contribution or expenditure with respect to the election; (C)are provided with information expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for such office; or (D)are provided with any information regarding a clearly identified candidate for such office. (3)

Exception for projects conducted by general media

A Federal election phone bank does not include any project conducted through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate. .

3.

Effective date

The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to elections occurring after the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date of the enactment of this Act.