reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-951.5. Filing schedule for referendum committees for referendums to be decided at May general elections

A. A referendum committee supporting or opposing a question on the ballot at a May election shall file the prescribed campaign finance reports as follows:
1. Not later than the eighth day before the election date complete through the eleventh day before the election date;
2. Not later than June 15 of the election year complete through June 10; and
3. Not later than July 15 of the election year complete through June 30.
B. A referendum committee may either (i) file a final report within six months after the referendum is held or (ii) continue as a political action committee more than six months after the referendum is held, provided that the committee submits an amended statement of organization to the State Board redesignating the committee as a political action committee and complies with the requirements for political action committees in Article 4 of this chapter including the reporting schedule set forth in § 24.2-949.6.
2003, c. 257, § 24.2-910.1; 2005, c. 745; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-951.6. Filing schedule for referendum committees for referendums to be decided at special elections

A. A referendum committee supporting or opposing a question on the ballot at a special election shall file the prescribed campaign finance reports as follows:
1. A report not later than the eighth day before the special election date complete through the eleventh day before that date; and
2. A postelection report no later than the thirtieth day after the election.
B. A referendum committee may either (i) file a final report within six months after the referendum is held or (ii) continue as a political action committee more than six months after the referendum is held, provided that the committee submits an amended statement of organization to the State Board redesignating the committee as a political action committee and complies with the requirements for political action committees in Article 4 of this chapter including the reporting schedule set forth in § 24.2-949.6.
2003, c. 257, § 24.2-910.1; 2005, c. 745; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-951.7. Large dollar contribution reporting requirement for referendum committees

In addition to the reports required by §§ 24.2-951.4, 24.2-951.5 and 24.2-951.6, referendum committees shall report any single contribution or loan of $10,000 or more received at any time during the calendar year within three business days of receipt of the contribution or loan.
1. The report shall be filed on a "large dollar contribution report" form prescribed by the State Board and shall be filed in writing or electronically in the same manner as the person or committee files its quarterly disclosure reports.
2. Any contribution or loan reported pursuant to this section shall also be reported on the next subsequent report required under this article following receipt of the contribution or loan.
3. For the purposes of this section, referendum committees shall report as one contribution multiple contributions from a single source that have been subdivided into smaller amounts or given through different bank accounts for the purpose of evading the $10,000 threshold.
4. A referendum committee that receives contributions from affiliated organizations shall not be deemed to be receiving contributions from a single source.
2003, c. 257, § 24.2-910.1; 2005, c. 745; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-951.8. With whom referendum committees file reports; electronic filing requirement

A. Referendum committees required to file statements or reports by this article shall file all reports with the State Board.
B. A referendum committee that is required by this chapter to file reports with the State Board, and that accepts contributions or makes expenditures in excess of $10,000 in any calendar year, or that accepted contributions or made expenditures in excess of $10,000 in the previous calendar year, shall file its reports with the State Board by computer or electronic means in accordance with the standards approved by the State Board until such time as the referendum committee files a final report or until subject to the provisions of subsection B of § 24.2-951.1.
C. Any referendum committee that has been filing electronically, but does not anticipate accepting contributions or making expenditures in excess of $10,000 in the upcoming calendar year, may sign a waiver, on a form prescribed by the State Board, to exempt the committee from the electronic filing requirement for the calendar year. Such waiver form shall be submitted and received no later than the date the first report is due covering activity for that calendar year.
1996, c. 687, § 24.2-914.1; 1997, cc. 364, 392; 1998, c. 416; 1999, c. 864; 2000, cc. 511, 555; 2003, cc. 242, 257, § 24.2-910.1; 2005, c. 745; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-951.9. Final report requirement; disbursement of surplus funds

A. Any referendum committee that disbands after having filed a statement of organization shall so notify the State Board. A final report shall be filed by the committee that sets forth (i) all receipts and disbursements not previously reported, (ii) an accounting of the retirement of all debts, and (iii) the disposition of the committee's surplus funds. This final report shall include a termination statement, signed by the treasurer or other principal officer listed on the statement of organization, that all reporting for the committee is complete and final.
B. Amounts received by a referendum committee as contributions may be disposed of only by one or any combination of the following: (i) transferring the excess to an affiliated organization of the committee; (ii) returning the excess to a contributor in an amount not to exceed the contributor's original contribution; (iii) donating the excess to any organization described in § 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; (iv) contributing the excess to one or more candidates or to any political committee that has filed a statement of organization pursuant to this chapter; (v) contributing the excess to any political committee; and (vi) defraying any ordinary, nonreimbursed expense related to the referendum committee. It shall be unlawful for any person to convert any contributed moneys, securities, or like intangible personal property to his personal use or to the use of a member of the "immediate family," as that term is defined in § 30-101, of the committee's treasurer or chief executive.
1990, c. 931, § 24.1-258.1; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-921; 2003, c. 257, § 24.2-910.1; 2004, c. 457; 2005, c. 745; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2009, c. 231.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-952. General provisions

Any inaugural committee shall maintain all inaugural funds in a separate account and in such detail and form as to allow full compliance with this chapter. A candidate's campaign committee shall not serve as an inaugural fund committee.
1991, cc. 474, 709, § 24.1-254.3; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-913; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-952.1. Statement of organization for an inaugural committee

Each inaugural committee shall file with the State Board a statement of organization within 10 days after its organization. Any change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization shall be reported to the State Board within 10 days following the change.
The statement of organization shall include:
1. The name of the committee and its address in the Commonwealth;
2. The name and business address of the treasurer and his residence address in the Commonwealth who shall be deemed the agent of the inaugural committee for the purpose of service of process on the inaugural committee;
3. The name, residence address in the Commonwealth, business address, and position of the custodian of the books and accounts who works under the direction of the treasurer and the address where the books are maintained, if different from the business address of the custodian of the books and accounts;
4. The name and residence address of the elected official for whose inauguration the committee is organized;
5. The designated depository to be used for the receipt and holding of funds and contributions received by the committee, in an account in a financial institution within the Commonwealth; and
6. Such other information as shall be required by the State Board except that the account number for the designated depository account shall not be required.
1991, cc. 474, 709, § 24.1-254.3; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-913; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-952.4. Filing schedule for inaugural committees

An inaugural committee shall file the prescribed reports of contributions and expenditures as follows:
1. Not later than March 15 immediately following the inauguration for all contributions and expenditures made prior to the preceding March 1;
2. Not later than July 15 of the inauguration year complete through June 30;
3. Not later than the following January 15 complete through December 31; and
4. Not later than January 15 complete through December 31 and annually thereafter until a final report is filed.
1991, cc. 474, 709, §§ 24.1-254.3, 24.1-924; 1993, c. 641, §§ 24.2-913, 24.2-924; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-952.5. Large dollar contribution reporting requirement for inaugural committees

In addition to the reports required by § 24.2-952.4, inaugural committees shall report any single contribution or loan of $10,000 or more received at any time during the calendar year within three business days of receipt of the contribution or loan.
1. The report shall be filed on a "large dollar contribution report" form prescribed by the State Board and shall be filed in writing or electronically in the same manner as the committee files its quarterly disclosure reports.
2. Any contribution or loan reported pursuant to this section shall also be reported on the next subsequent report required under § 24.2-952.4 following receipt of the contribution or loan.
3. For the purposes of this section, inaugural committees shall report as one contribution multiple contributions from a single source that have been subdivided into smaller amounts or given through different bank accounts for the purpose of evading the $10,000 threshold.
4. An inaugural committee that receives contributions from affiliated organizations shall not be deemed to be receiving contributions from a single source.
1984, c. 480, § 24.1-923; 1991, cc. 9, 474, 709, § 24.1-254.3; 1993, cc. 639, 641, § 24.2-913, 24.2-923; 1995, c. 785; 2002, cc. 156, 237; 2003, c. 256; 2004, c. 26; 2005, c. 9; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-952.6. With whom inaugural committees file reports; electronic filing requirement

A. Inaugural committees required to file reports by this chapter shall file all campaign finance reports with the State Board.
B. An inaugural committee that is required by this chapter to file reports with the State Board, and that accepts contributions or makes expenditures in excess of $10,000 in any calendar year, or that accepted contributions or made expenditures in excess of $10,000 in the previous calendar year, shall file its reports with the State Board by computer or electronic means in accordance with the standards approved by the State Board until such time as the committee files a final report.
C. Any inaugural committee that has been filing electronically, but does not anticipate accepting contributions or making expenditures in excess of $10,000 in the upcoming calendar year, may sign a waiver, on a form prescribed by the State Board, to exempt the committee from the electronic filing requirement for the calendar year. Such waiver form shall be submitted and received no later than the date the first report is due covering activity for that calendar year.
1984, c. 480, § 24.1-923; 1991, cc. 9, 474, 709, § 24.1-254.3; 1993, cc. 639, 641, §§ 24.2-913, 24.2-923; 1995, c. 785; 1996, c. 687, § 24.2-914.1; 1997, cc. 364, 392; 1998, c. 416; 1999, c. 864; 2000, cc. 511, 555; 2002, cc. 156, 237; 2003, cc. 242, 256; 2004, c. 26; 2005, c. 9; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-952.7. Final report requirement; disbursement of surplus funds

A. Any inaugural committee that, after having filed a statement of organization, disbands shall so notify the State Board. A final report shall be filed by the committee that sets forth (i) all receipts and disbursements not previously reported, (ii) an accounting of the retirement of all debts, and (iii) the disposition of the committee's surplus funds. This final report shall include a termination statement, signed by the treasurer or other principal officer listed on the statement of organization, that all reporting for the committee is complete and final.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to disburse any funds or receipts of an inaugural committee which are in excess of the amount necessary to defray expenditures for inaugural activities other than by one or any combination of the following: (i) returning the excess to a contributor in an amount not to exceed the contributor's original contribution or (ii) making one or more charitable contributions as defined in § 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. It shall be unlawful for any person to convert any contributed moneys, securities, or like intangible personal property to his personal use or to the use of a member of the "immediate family," as that term is defined in § 30-101, of the committee's treasurer or chief executive.
1990, c. 931, § 24.1-258.1; 1991, cc. 474, 709, §§ 24.1-924, 24.1-254.3; 1993, c. 641, §§ 24.2-913, 24.2-921, 24.2-925; 1994, c. 607; 2004, c. 457; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2007, c. 622; 2009, c. 231.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-953. General provisions

A. The procedures to enforce the provisions of this article are found in § 24.2-946.3.
B. Either the failure to file any statement or report or the late filing of any statement or report required by this chapter shall constitute a violation of this chapter subject to the penalties provided in this article.
C. Any person who violates, or aids, abets, or participates in the violation of, this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $100, unless a greater penalty is imposed by this article.
D. In the case of a willful violation, the violator shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that the violation of this chapter was willful if the violation is based on a person's failure to file a report required by this chapter and his failure to file continues for more than 60 days following his actual receipt of written notice of his failure to file sent to him by certified mail, return receipt requested, by the State Board or a general registrar. Such notice shall be sent to the most recent mailing address provided by the candidate or committee.
E. In the case of a failure to file a required statement or report by the specified deadline, the length of the delinquency shall be a factor in determining the amount of the civil penalty assessed.
F. The statute of limitations applicable to a violation of this chapter is stated in § 19.2-8.
G. The requirements of this chapter for the filing of timely and complete statements and reports by any candidate campaign committee or political committee shall at all times remain in full force and effect and shall not be vacated, suspended, or modified as the result of any pending or completed criminal or civil investigation of the candidate campaign committee, the political committee, or any individual participant in the committee.
1975, c. 515, § 24.1-262; 1990, c. 976; 1991, c. 709; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-929; 1994, c. 752; 1995, c. 785; 2000, cc. 511, 555; 2001, cc. 620, 635, 648; 2004, cc. 457, 480; 2005, cc. 9, 371, 676, 745; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2012, c. 298; 2015, cc. 644, 645.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-953.1. Failure to file the required reports

A. In the case of a failure to file the statement of organization for a candidate campaign committee or political c committee required by this chapter, there shall be a civil penalty not to exceed $500.
B. In the case of the failure to file a required report, the candidate campaign committee or political committee shall be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $500. In the case of the failure to file a report required pursuant to subsection D or E of § 24.2-949.6, the political action committee shall be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $500. In the case of a second or any subsequent such violation pertaining to one election cycle, the candidate campaign committee or political committee shall be assessed a civil penalty of $1,000 for each such failure to file.
C. In the case of a failure to file the report of any large pre-election contribution required by § 24.2-947.9 or 24.2-949.7:1 or a report required pursuant to subsection D or E of § 24.2-949.6, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the violation was willful.
2006, cc. 787, 892; 2008, c. 547; 2010, c. 696; 2023, c. 764.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-953.2. Late filing of required reports

A. In the case of the late filing of the statement of organization required by this chapter for a candidate campaign committee or political committee, there shall be a civil penalty not to exceed $500.
B. In the case of a late filing of a required report, the candidate campaign committee or political committee shall be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $500. In the case of a second or any subsequent such violation pertaining to one election cycle, the candidate campaign committee or political committee shall be assessed a civil penalty of $1,000 for each such late filing.
2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-953.3. Incomplete reports

A. In the case of a violation of this chapter that relates to the filing of an incomplete report, the violator shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 unless a greater penalty is imposed pursuant to this section. However the civil penalty shall in no case exceed $500 unless the total of the filer's reportable contributions or the total of the filer's reportable expenditures is $10,000 or more.
B. Prior to assessing a penalty pursuant to this section for the filing of an incomplete report, the Commissioner of Elections or the general registrar shall notify, by certified mail, the candidate and treasurer, or person or political committee required to file a report with that board, that a filed report has not been completed, citing the omissions from the report. No penalty shall be assessed if the information required to complete the report is filed within 10 days of the date of mailing the written notice.
C. If the information required to complete the report is not filed within the 10-day period, the Commissioner of Elections or the general registrar shall then assess against the candidate and treasurer, who shall be jointly and severally liable, or person or political committee required to file a report, a civil penalty not to exceed $500. The Commissioner of Elections or the general registrar shall consider the following factors in determining the civil penalty assessed: the number of omissions, the amount of money involved, and the proportion of contributions or expenditures containing omissions.
D. The Commissioner of Elections or the general registrar may grant an additional period for compliance, not to exceed two weeks, to permit the completion of a filed report for good cause shown and in response to a request filed within the 10-day period. However, no additional period shall be granted thereafter for compliance.
E. The civil penalty assessed for filing an incomplete report shall be increased by $500 every 60 days following the date for compliance established pursuant to this section and until compliance is complete. If the failure to comply continues for more than 120 days following the date for compliances established pursuant to this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the violation was willful, and the matter shall be forwarded to the appropriate attorney for the Commonwealth.
F. The civil penalty assessed for filing any subsequent incomplete report (i) that is filed more than 20 days after notice has been given of a violation or (ii) that is filed during the 60 days prior to the elections for which the person is a candidate shall be $1,000.
G. The State Board shall notify the public through its official Internet website of a failure to file a complete report by a candidate for statewide office or the General Assembly and the identity of the violator following the date for compliance established pursuant to this section.
2006, cc. 787, 892; 2013, c. 542; 2015, cc. 644, 645.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-953.4. Additional civil penalties for late and incomplete filings for statewide campaigns

A. In addition to the penalties provided in §§ 24.2-953.1, 24.2-953.2, and 24.2-953.3, any candidate for statewide office, and his campaign treasurer, who fails to file any report required in Article 3 (§ 24.2-947 et seq.) in a timely manner or files an incomplete report may be assessed a civil penalty by the Commissioner of Elections pursuant to this section.
B. Prior to assessing a penalty pursuant to this section, the Commissioner shall notify, within 14 days of the deadline for the required report, the candidate and treasurer in writing that a report has not been filed or that a filed report has not been completed, citing the omissions from the report. No penalty shall be assessed pursuant to this section if the report or information required to complete the report is filed within seven days of the date of mailing the written notice.
C. If the report or information required to complete the report is not filed within the seven-day period, the Commissioner shall assess against the candidate and treasurer, who shall be jointly and severally liable, a civil penalty of $500 for each day that the violation continues on and after the eighth day following the date of mailing the written notice. The Commissioner may grant an additional period for compliance, not to exceed two weeks, for good cause shown and in response to a request filed within the seven-day period. However, no additional period shall be granted for compliance with the requirement under subdivision A 8 of § 24.2-947.6 to file a report not later than the eighth day before the election. The State Board shall notify the public through its official Internet website of the violation and identity of the violator.
D. If requested by the Commissioner, the attorney for the Commonwealth of the City of Richmond shall assist the Commissioner in collecting the civil penalty.
E. Any candidate or treasurer aggrieved by the assessment pursuant to this section shall have a right to the direct review of the assessment by a court of competent jurisdiction as provided in the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). The provisions of the Act shall not apply, however, to the assessment of civil penalties by the Commissioner pursuant to this section.
F. Civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund.
1991, c. 548, § 24.1-263.1; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-930; 2001, c. 620; 2005, c. 371; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2013, c. 542.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.3 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 › § 24.2-953.5. Additional penalties related to federal political action or out-of-state political committees

A. Acceptance of contributions of $10,000 or more in the aggregate in any calendar year from an unregistered federal political action committee or out-of-state political committee shall result in a civil penalty equal to the amount of the contributions made to a candidate campaign committee or political committee.
B. The provisions of this subsection are applicable regardless of the assessment of a civil penalty pursuant to subsection A. The failure of any federal political action committee or out-of-state political committee to comply with the provisions of § 24.2-949.2, 24.2-949.10, 24.2-949.11, or 24.2-949.12 shall result in a civil penalty not to exceed the amount of the contribution made to a candidate campaign committee or political committee.
C. The State Board of Elections shall institute proceedings pursuant to § 24.2-104 against any committee that fails to comply with the provisions of § 24.2-947.3:1, 24.2-949.2, 24.2-949.10, 24.2-949.11, 24.2-949.12, or 24.2-949.13 and, after notice by the State Board, continues for more than five days to remain noncompliant.
2006, cc. 771, 805, § 24.2-930.1.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.4 - Campaign Fundraising; Legislative Sessions › § 24.2-954. Campaign fundraising; legislative sessions; penalties

A. No member of the General Assembly or statewide official and no campaign committee of a member of the General Assembly or statewide official shall solicit or accept a contribution for the campaign committee of any member of the General Assembly or statewide official, or for any political committee, from any person or political committee on and after the first day of a regular session of the General Assembly through adjournment sine die of that session.
B. No person or political committee shall make or promise to make a contribution to a member of the General Assembly or statewide official or his campaign committee on and after the first day of a regular session of the General Assembly through adjournment sine die of that session.
C. The restrictions of this section shall not apply to a contribution (i) made by a member of the General Assembly or statewide official from his personal funds or (ii) made to the campaign committee of a candidate in a special election.
D. As used in this section:
"Adjournment sine die" means adjournment on the last legislative day of the regular session, and such session does not include the ensuing reconvened session;
"Campaign committee," "contribution," "person," and "political committee" shall be defined as provided in § 24.2-945.1 except that "contribution" shall not include money, services, or things of value in any way provided by a candidate to his own campaign and the payment by the candidate of any primary filing fee;
"Solicit" means request a contribution, orally or in writing, but shall not include a request for support of a candidate or his position on an issue; and
"Statewide official" means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.
E. Any person who violates, or aids, abets, or participates in the violation of, this section shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to the amount of the prohibited contribution or promised contribution or $500, whichever amount is greater. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall initiate civil proceedings to enforce the civil penalty provided herein. Any civil penalties collected shall be payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund.
1997, c. 876, § 24.2-940; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-955. Scope of disclosure requirements

The disclosure requirements of this chapter apply to any sponsor of an advertisement in the print media, on radio or television, or placed or promoted for a fee on an online platform, the cost or value of which constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) except that the disclosure requirements of this chapter do not apply to (i) an individual who makes independent expenditures aggregating less than $1,000 in an election cycle for or against a candidate for statewide office or less than $200 in an election cycle for or against a candidate for any other office or (ii) an individual who incurs expenses only with respect to a referendum.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-941; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2008, c. 825; 2020, c. 551.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-955.2. Publications not to receive compensation for advocating candidacy; penalties

A. It shall be unlawful for any owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter, or employee of any newspaper, magazine, or periodical printed or published in this Commonwealth to accept or receive or agree to accept or receive, for himself or another, any money or other valuable consideration for such newspaper, magazine, or other periodical supporting or advocating the election or defeat of any candidate. But nothing in this section shall prevent any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the publication of any newspaper, magazine or periodical from receiving from any person compensation for printing and publishing any matter, article or articles advocating the election or defeat of any candidate, if a statement, "Paid Advertisement," appears in plain type in boldface Roman capitals in a conspicuous place at the beginning of the matter or article and the matter or article otherwise complies with the provisions of this chapter.
B. The person accepting a "Paid Advertisement" for the newspaper, magazine or periodical shall require, and for one year shall retain a copy of, proof of the identity of the person who submits the advertisement for publication when the authorization statement on the advertisement is made pursuant to this chapter by an individual or entity other than a candidate, candidate campaign committee, political party committee, or political action committee. Proof of identity shall be submitted either (i) in person and include a valid Virginia driver's license, or any other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States, or (ii) other than in person, in which case, the person submitting the advertisement shall provide a telephone number and the person accepting the advertisement may phone the person to verify the validity of the person's identifying information before publishing the advertisement. Any candidate clearly identified in the advertisement is entitled to the name of the person who submitted the advertisement after the publication of the advertisement in the newspaper, magazine, or periodical.
C. Any such owner, proprietor, editor, manager, officer, clerk, agent, reporter, or employee violating the provisions of subsection A or B shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $50; and, in the case of a willful violation, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The procedure to enforce the civil penalty provided in this section shall be as stated in Article 8 (§ 24.2-953 et seq.) of Chapter 9.3.
Code 1950, § 24-406; 1952, c. 4; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-276; 1991, c. 709; 1993, c. 641, § 24.2-1013; 2001, c. 747; 2002, c. 487; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2008, c. 825.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-955.3. Penalties for violations of this chapter

A. Any sponsor violating Article 2 (§ 24.2-956 et seq.) shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000. In the case of a willful violation, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B. Any sponsor violating Article 3 (§ 24.2-957 et seq.) or 4 (§ 24.2-958 et seq.) shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000. In the case of a willful violation, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. In no event shall the total civil penalties imposed for multiple broadcasts of one particular campaign advertisement exceed $25,000.
C. Any person violating Article 5 (§ 24.2-959 et seq.) shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000, and in the case of a willful violation, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A violation of the provisions of Article 5 shall not void any election.
D. The State Board, in a public hearing, shall determine whether to find a violation of this chapter and to assess a civil penalty. At least 10 days prior to such hearing, the State Board shall send notice by certified mail to persons whose actions will be reviewed at such meeting and may be subject to civil penalty. Notice shall include the time and date of the meeting, an explanation of the violation, and the maximum civil penalty that may be assessed.
E. It shall not be deemed a violation of this chapter if the contents of the disclosure legend or statement convey the required information.
F. Any civil penalties collected pursuant to an action under this section shall be payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund. The procedure to enforce the civil penalties provided in this section shall be as stated in § 24.2-946.3.
2002, c. 487, §§ 24.2-943, 24.2-944; 2003, c. 237; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2010, c. 546; 2022, c. 744.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-956. Requirements for print media advertisements sponsored by a candidate campaign committee

It shall be unlawful for any candidate or candidate campaign committee to sponsor a print media advertisement that constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) unless all of the following conditions are met:
1. It bears the legend or includes the statement: "Paid for by ________ [Name of candidate or campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]." Alternatively, if the advertisement is supporting a candidate who is the sponsor and the advertisement makes no reference to any other clearly identified candidate, then the statement "Paid for by ________ [Name of candidate]" may be replaced by the statement "Authorized by ________ [Name of candidate]."
2. In an advertisement sponsored by a candidate or a candidate campaign committee that makes reference to any other clearly identified candidate who is not sponsoring the advertisement, the sponsor shall state whether it is authorized by the candidate not sponsoring the advertisement. The visual legend in the advertisement shall state either "Authorized by [Name of candidate], candidate for [Name of office]" or "Not authorized by any other candidate." This subdivision does not apply if the sponsor of the advertisement is the candidate the advertisement supports or that candidate's campaign committee.
3. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall name all the sponsors.
4. (Effective until January 1, 2024) Any disclosure statement required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner in a minimum font size of seven point. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate standards for meeting the requirements of this subdivision.
4. (Effective January 1, 2024) Any disclosure statement required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner in a font size proportionate to the size of the advertisement. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate standards for meeting the requirements of this subdivision.
5. Any print media advertisement appearing in electronic format shall display the disclosure statement in a minimum font size of seven point; however, if the advertisement lacks sufficient space for a disclosure statement in a minimum font size of seven point, the advertisement may meet disclosure requirements if, by clicking on the print media advertisement appearing in electronic format, the viewer is taken to a landing page or a home page that displays the disclosure statement in a conspicuous manner.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-943; 2003, c. 237; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2012, c. 519; 2020, cc. 557, 615.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-956.1. Requirements for print media advertisements sponsored by a person or political committee, other than a candidate campaign committee

It shall be unlawful for any person or political committee to sponsor a print media 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:
1. It bears the legend or includes the statement: "Paid for by ________ [Name of person or political committee]."
2. In an advertisement supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates, the sponsor states whether it is authorized by a candidate. The visual legend in the advertisement shall state either "Authorized by [Name of candidate], candidate for [Name of office]" or "Not authorized by a candidate."
3. In an advertisement that identifies a candidate the sponsor is opposing, the sponsor must disclose in the advertisement the name of the candidate who is intended to benefit from the advertisement, if the sponsor coordinates with, or has the authorization of, the benefited candidate.
4. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall name all the sponsors.
5. (Effective until January 1, 2024) Any disclosure statement required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner in a minimum font size of seven point. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate standards for meeting the requirements of this subdivision.
5. (Effective January 1, 2024) Any disclosure statement required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner in a font size proportionate to the size of the advertisement. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate standards for meeting the requirements of this subdivision.
6. Any print media advertisement appearing in electronic format shall display the disclosure statement in a minimum font size of seven point; however, if the advertisement lacks sufficient space for a disclosure statement in a minimum font size of seven point, the advertisement may meet disclosure requirements if, by clicking on the print media advertisement appearing in electronic format, the viewer is taken to a landing page or a home page that displays the disclosure statement in a conspicuous manner.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-943; 2003, c. 237; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2012, c. 519; 2020, c. 557.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-957. General provisions; applicability to advertisements in video format

A. Television outlets and online platforms shall not be liable under this article for carriage of political advertisements that fail to include the disclosure requirements provided for in this article. This provision supersedes any contrary provisions of the Code of Virginia.
B. If the sponsor does not have the option of controlling the audio, if any, heard during the television advertisement, the disclosure requirements shall be the same as for print media.
C. The person accepting an advertisement for a television outlet shall require, and for one year shall retain a copy of, proof of identity of the person who submits the advertisement for broadcast. Proof of identity shall be submitted either (i) in person and include a valid Virginia driver's license, or any other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States, or (ii) other than in person, in which case, the person submitting the advertisement shall provide a telephone number and the person accepting the advertisement may phone the person to verify the validity of the person's identifying information before broadcasting the advertisement.
D. Any disclosure statement required by this article shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner.
E. An advertisement that is in video format and is placed or promoted for a fee on an online platform shall be subject to the same disclosure requirements to which television advertisements are subject pursuant to this article.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2020, c. 551.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-957.1. Requirements for television advertisements sponsored by a candidate or candidate campaign committee

It shall be unlawful for any candidate or a candidate campaign committee 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:
1. It bears the legend or includes the statement: "Paid for by ____________ [Name of candidate or campaign committee as it appears on the statement of organization]." Alternatively, if the advertisement is supporting that candidate and the advertisement makes no reference to any other clearly identified candidate, then the statement "Paid for by ____________ [Name of sponsor]" may be replaced by the statement "Authorized by ____________ [Name of sponsor]."
The disclosure shall be made by visual legend, which shall constitute 20 scan lines in size. The content of these visual legends is specified by the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317 and this section.
2. If the advertisement sponsored by the candidate or the candidate campaign committee makes reference to another clearly identified candidate, it must include a disclosure statement spoken by the sponsoring candidate containing at least the following words: "I am ____________ (or 'This is ___________') [Name of candidate], candidate for [Name of] office, and I (or 'my campaign') sponsored this ad."
The candidate or the candidate campaign committee may provide the oral disclosure statement required by this section at the same time as the visual disclosure required under the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317, is shown.
3. The advertisement shall include throughout the disclosure statement an unobscured, full-screen picture containing the candidate, either in photographic form or through the actual appearance of the candidate on camera.
4. The candidate or the campaign committee may place the disclosure statement required by this section at any point during the advertisement, except if the duration of the advertisement is more than five minutes, the disclosure statement shall be made both at the beginning and end of the advertisement.
5. In its oral disclosure statement, the sponsor may choose to identify an advertisement as either supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates.
6. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors and the candidate shall be the disclosing individual. If more than one candidate is the sponsor, at least one of the candidates shall be the disclosing individual.
2002, c. 487, § 24.2-944; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892; 2020, c. 615.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 24.2-957.2. Requirements for television advertisements sponsored by a political committee

It shall be unlawful for a political committee 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:
1. It bears the legend or includes the statement: "Paid for by _______________ [Name of political committee]."
2. A television advertisement supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates (i) shall include a disclosure statement, spoken by the chief executive officer or treasurer of the political committee, containing at least the following words: "The [Name of political committee] sponsored this ad."
3. If an advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall include the names of all the sponsors and the disclosing individual shall be one of those sponsors.
4. The disclosure shall be made by visual legend, which shall constitute 20 scan lines in size.
5. The content of these visual legends is specified by the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317 and this section.
6. The political committee may provide the oral disclosure statement required by this section at the same time as the visual disclosure required under the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317, is shown.
7. The advertisement shall include throughout the disclosure statement an unobscured, full-screen picture containing the disclosing individual, either in photographic form or through the actual appearance of the disclosing individual on camera.
8. A political committee may place the disclosure statement required by this section at any point during the advertisement, except if the duration of the advertisement is more than five minutes, the disclosure statement shall be made both at the beginning and end of the advertisement.
9. In its oral disclosure statement, a political committee may choose to identify an advertisement as either supporting or opposing the nomination or election of one or more clearly identified candidates.
10. If the advertisement is jointly sponsored, the disclosure statement shall name all of the sponsors and the disclosing individual shall be one of those sponsors. This provision supersedes any contrary provisions of the Code of Virginia.
2002, c. 487, §§ 24.2-943, 24.2-944; 2003, c. 237; 2004, cc. 55, 457; 2005, c. 369; 2006, cc. 787, 892.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 24.2 - Elections › Chapter 9.5 - Political Campaign Advertisements › § 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:
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.