Virginia Code 24.2-957.3: Requirements for television advertisements sponsored by a person that is not a candidate campaign committee or political committee.
A. It shall be unlawful for a person to sponsor a television advertisement that constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) unless the following requirements are met:
Terms Used In Virginia Code 24.2-957.3
- Advertisement: means any message appearing in the print media, on television, on radio, or on an online platform, that constitutes a contribution or expenditure under Chapter 9. See Virginia Code 24.2-955.1
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Election: means a general, primary, or special election. See Virginia Code 24.2-101
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- Sponsor: means a candidate, candidate campaign committee, political committee, or person that purchases an advertisement. See Virginia Code 24.2-955.1
- Television: means any television broadcast station, cable television system, wireless-cable multipoint distribution system, satellite company, or telephone company transmitting video programming that is subject to the provisions of 47 U. See Virginia Code 24.2-955.1
1. If the sponsor is an individual, a disclosure statement spoken by the individual containing at least the following words: “I am [individual’s name], and I sponsored this ad.”
2. If the sponsor is a corporation, partnership, business, labor organization, membership organization, association, cooperative, or other like entity, a disclosure statement spoken by the chief executive officer containing at least the following words: “[Name of sponsor] paid for (or ‘sponsored’ or ‘furnished’) this ad.”
B. In its oral disclosure statement, a person may choose to identify an advertisement as either supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates.
C. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892.