Section 18G. An independent expenditure or electioneering communication made by an individual, corporation, group, association, labor union or other entity which is transmitted through paid radio, television or internet advertising shall include a statement disclosing the identity of the individual, corporation, group, association, labor union or other entity paying for the advertisement. If the independent expenditure or electioneering communication is a radio or television advertisement, the advertisement shall include a statement by the individual paying for the advertisement in which the person acknowledges paying for the message and identifies that person's city or town of residence. If the radio or television advertisement is paid for by a corporation, group, association or a labor union, the following statement shall be made by the chief executive officer of the corporation, the chairman or principal officer of the group or association or the chief executive or business manager of a labor union: ''I am _________________ (name) the ______________________ (office held) of _____________________ (name of corporation, group, association or labor union) and ______________ (name of corporation, group, association or labor union) approves and paid for this message.'' The statements in television advertisements shall be conveyed by an unobscured, full-screen view of the person making the statement. If an independent expenditure or electioneering communication is transmitted through internet advertising, the statement shall appear in a clearly readable manner with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement.
An independent expenditure or electioneering communication made by an individual, corporation, group, association, labor union or other entity which is transmitted through paid television, internet advertising or print advertising appearing larger than 15 square inches or direct mail or billboard shall include a written statement at the bottom of the advertisement or mailing that contains the words ''Top Contributors'' and a written statement that lists the 5 persons or entities or if fewer than 5 persons or entities, all persons or entities that made the largest contributions to that entity, regardless of the purpose for which the funds were given; provided, however, that only contributions in excess of $5,000 reportable pursuant to this chapter during the 12–month period before the date of the advertisement or communication shall be listed. If no such contribution is received by the entity making an independent expenditure or electioneering communication, the advertisement or communication may exclude the statement. The advertisement or communication shall also include a written statement, as specified by the director, at the bottom of the advertisement or communication that directs viewers to the official web address of the office of campaign and political finance. This paragraph shall also apply to advertisements or communications purchased to influence or affect the vote on a question submitted to the voters.
Whoever violates this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 55 - Disclosure and Regulation of Campaign Expenditures and Contributions
Section 2 - Accounts of Contributions and Expenditures; Violations; Penalties
Section 5a - Elected Public Officials; Principal Officers of Political Action Committees
Section 5b - Names or Phrases Identifying Political Committees in Organizational Statements
Section 5c - Online Training Program for Treasurers of Political Committees
Section 6 - Restrictions on Expenditures; Penalties
Section 6a - Contributions From Political Action Committees; Limitations
Section 6b - Ballot Question Committee; Contributions
Section 7 - Receipts, Disbursements and Contributions Regulated; Limitations; Penalties
Section 8 - Political Contributions by Corporations; Penalties
Section 10 - Name and Address of Donor; Disclosure; Penalties
Section 10a - Treatment of Contributions to Candidates Through Intermediaries or Conduits
Section 11 - Solicitations From Candidates Prohibited; Exception; Penalties
Section 12 - Soliciting of Money for Nomination Papers Prohibited; Penalties
Section 14 - Soliciting Contributions in Public Buildings Prohibited; Penalties
Section 15 - Political Contributions by Public Officers or Employees Restricted; Penalties
Section 16a - Obligation to Make Political Contribution or Render Political Service; Penalty
Section 18a - Reports of Independent Expenditures
Section 18e - Legal Defense, Inauguration or Recount Funds
Section 18f - Electioneering Communication Expenditures
Section 19 - Campaign Funds; Designation of Depository
Section 23 - Persons Acting for Political Committees; Accounts and Vouchers to Treasurers
Section 24 - Place for Filing Statements or Reports; Signing
Section 25 - Preservation of Statements and Reports by Director; Public Inspection and Reproduction
Section 27 - Furnishing Forms for Statements and Reports, and Summary of Chapter
Section 28 - Inspection of Statements and Reports; Delinquencies; Notice; Filing
Section 30 - Courts' Authority to Compel Filing of Statements
Section 31 - Immunity of Witnesses
Section 32 - Corrupt Practices by Candidate Defined
Section 33 - Election Petitions for Corrupt Practices; Procedure
Section 34 - Application of Preceding Sections
Section 35 - Inquests Upon Complaint for Violations
Section 36 - Conduct of Inquests
Section 37 - Witnesses; Attendance; Process; Fees
Section 39 - Witnesses; Binding Over to Superior Court
Section 40 - Apprehension of Offenders