SB284 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Electioneering communications and paid political advertising, disclosure of source of funding required, exceptions, contributions by political committees further provided for, Secs. 17-5-2, 17-5-8, 17-5-12 am'd. (2011-20676)

Summary

SB284 requires disclosure of funding sources for electioneering communications and paid political ads, with specific identification rules and several exemptions, updating Alabama's campaign finance law (17-5-2, 17-5-8, 17-5-12).

What This Bill Does

It expands transparency by requiring most electioneering communications funded by organizations to reveal who paid for them. It defines electioneering communications as paid messages that name a candidate, are within 120 days of an election, and cost over $1,000, triggering disclosure. It requires identifying who pays for ads and reporting related contributions and expenditures, while allowing certain online and church-related exemptions, and it keeps corporate limits from applying to electioneering communications but maintains them for other political contributions. It becomes effective July 1, 2011 and is severable if parts are struck down.

Who It Affects

• Political committees, organizations, and other payors that fund electioneering communications or paid political ads; they must disclose funding sources and report contributions and expenditures, and may face new identification rules.
• Voters and the general public gain greater transparency about who funds election advertising; churches are exempt from some disclosure rules unless their expenditures are used to influence elections.

Key Provisions

• Disclose the source of funds used for electioneering communications and paid political advertisements, with certain exceptions; payors must report funding information.
• Define electioneering communications as paid messages that mention a candidate, are within 120 days of an election, and involve expenditures over $1,000, triggering disclosure.
• Require identification of the payor for paid advertisements in print and electronic media, with specific online and social media exceptions (e.g., certain internet links and posts, text messages, apps).
• Corporate contribution limits do not apply to electioneering communications, but still apply to contributions to principal campaign committees, PACs, and political parties.
• Establish reporting requirements for principal campaign committees and PACs, including timing before elections and annual reports, with details on contributions, expenditures, loans, and debts.
• Provide exemptions for churches unless expenditures are used to influence elections; other exemptions exist for certain types of media and online content.
• Effective July 1, 2011; provisions are severable if any part is invalid.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elections