SB11 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg J. Reed

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

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. (2012-20196)

Summary

SB11 tightens rules on political robocalls by banning fraudulent misrepresentation and requiring clear paid-sponsor disclosures, with enforcement by the Attorney General and penalties for violators.

What This Bill Does

It makes it illegal to misrepresent oneself or an affiliated group as speaking for a candidate or committee in a way that damages them via automated political calls. It requires any automated or pre-recorded political call to end with clear notice that the message is a paid political advertisement and to identify who paid for it. It also prohibits knowingly misrepresenting who paid for such communications. The Attorney General is empowered to investigate and enforce these rules, and owners, employers, or agents of automated dialing services can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor if found in violation. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

Who It Affects

• Automated dialing service providers and their owners, employees, or representatives who must comply with the disclosures and can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for violations.
• Political campaigns, principal campaign committees, political action committees, political parties, and other sponsors who use automated calls; they are subject to prohibition on misrepresentation and must ensure proper paid-sponsor disclosures in their communications.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits fraudulent misrepresentation by anyone acting for or on behalf of a candidate, committee, PAC, or party in a manner damaging to that candidate or group.
• Requres automated political calls to end with clear notice that the communication is a paid political advertisement and identifies who paid for it.
• Prohibits knowingly misrepresenting who paid for an automated political communication.
• Empowers the Attorney General to investigate and enforce the statute; violators (owners/employers/agents of automated dialing services) face a Class A misdemeanor.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial approval.

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