SB96 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tammy Irons
Democrat
Co-Sponsors: George M. “Marc” Keahey Scott Beason Vivian Davis Figures Jimmy Holley Harri Anne Smith Greg J. Reed Shadrack McGill Dick Brewbaker Paul Bussman Bill Holtzclaw Phillip W. Williams Clay Scofield Gerald O. Dial Bryan Taylor Jerry L. Fielding Bobby D. Singleton Arthur Orr William “Bill” M. Beasley Cam Ward Gerald H. Allen J.T. Waggoner Del Marsh Ben H. Brooks Trip Pittman Rodger Smitherman Paul Sanford Rusty Glover Hank Sanders Quinton Ross Roger Bedford, Jr.Linda Coleman-Madison Priscilla Dunn Tom Whatley
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Elections, political campaigns, phone banks, fraudulent misrepresentation regarding candidates or committees prohibited, investigation and enforcement by Attorney General, penalties, Sec. 17-5-16 am'd.
Summary: SB96 would prohibit fraudulent misrepresentation by phone banks and require clear paid political advertisement disclosures in automated political calls.
What This Bill Does
It adds rules for phone banks and automated dialing services to prevent misrepresentation for or against political candidates, committees, or parties. It requires every communication from a phone bank to begin and end with a notice that it is a paid political advertisement and to identify who paid for it, and it requires the caller to identify their name and the candidate or campaign they represent. The Attorney General would enforce these rules, and violations could result in a Class A misdemeanor. Live or recorded calls must clearly identify the caller and the candidate or campaign involved.

Who It Affects
Phone banks and automated dialing service providers (including owners, employees, agents, and representatives) who must avoid fraudulent misrepresentation and include required disclosures.
Candidates, principal campaign committees, political action committees, political parties, and their agents or representatives who may use phone banks and must ensure disclosures and accuracy in communications.

Key Provisions
Section 17-5-16(a): Prohibits fraudulent misrepresentation by any person or organization affiliated with a candidate, committee, or party in a manner that damages or intends to damage the candidate or party.
Section 17-5-16(b): Prohibits owners, employees, agents, or representatives of phone banks or automated dialing services from misrepresenting themselves as speaking for or on behalf of a candidate, committee, or party.
Section 17-5-16(c): Requires that communications from phone banks include at the beginning and end a notice that it is a paid political advertisement and identify who paid for it; authorizes AG enforcement and sets penalties (Class A misdemeanor).
Section 17-5-16(d): Requires live or recorded calls to identify the caller’s name and the candidate or campaign they are calling on behalf of.

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