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PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor
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Ch. 291
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REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection formerly was Art. 33, § 13-503(a)(2).
No changes are made.
(C) LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER
"LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER" MEANS AN UNSOLICITED DOCUMENT USED BY AN
INCUMBENT, WITHOUT SUPERVISION BY, OR COORDINATION WITH, THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION TO A CONSTITUENT, VOTER, OR
POTENTIAL VOTER ABOUT:
(1) THE INCUMBENT'S PERFORMANCE IN LEGISLATIVE OFFICE; OR
(2) ONE OR MORE ISSUES OF PUBLIC INTEREST CHOSEN BY THE
INCUMBENT.
REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection is new language derived without
substantive change from former Art. 33, § 13-503(a)(3).
In the introductory language of this subsection, the former reference to a
"forum" is deleted as surplusage.
Also in the introductory language of this subsection, the reference to "a
constituent, voter, or potential voter" is added based on similar language in
former Art. 33, § 13-503(a)(4) which is revised in subsection (d) of this
section.
Also in the introductory language of this subsection, the phrase
referencing an unsolicited document "used by an incumbent, without
supervision by, or coordination with, the General Assembly" is added to
distinguish legislative newsletters from the Annapolis Report.
The Election Law Article Review Committee notes, for consideration by the
General Assembly, that the definition of a legislative newsletter is
restricted to the dissemination of information about an incumbent's
performance in "legislative" office. Did the General Assembly intend to
limit the regulation of newsletters to only those newsletters that contain
information about the incumbent's General Assembly legislative activity?
It would appear that information regarding an incumbent's legislative
performance as a member of a county council or local board of education or
in any other non-General Assembly elected office may be equally relevant
to the purpose of this subsection. The General Assembly may wish to
clarify this ambiguity.
In item (2) of this subsection, the reference to issues of public "interest" is
substituted for the former reference to an issue of public "importance" for
clarity and specificity.
Also in item (2) of this subsection, the former reference to a "candidate" is
deleted as included in the reference to an "incumbent". The Election Law
Article Review Committee calls this deletion to the attention of the
General Assembly.
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- 2599 -
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