Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA c. 1, sub-c. 4 is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER 4

ADVERTISING

§41.__Restriction on certain advertisements

An advertisement advocating the election or defeat of a candidate for political office or the passage or defeat of a referendum question may not be broadcast on television until 42 or fewer days before the primary, election or referendum that is the subject of the advertisement.__A television station that violates this section is subject to a fine of $1,000.__Each broadcast of an advertisement in violation of this section constitutes a separate violation.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits broadcasting television advertisements advocating the election or defeat of a candidate for political office or the passage or defeat of a referendum question until 42 days or fewer before the primary, election or referendum.