§ 17-23-18. Political advertising from official budgets prohibited.
(a) Except in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section, no elected official shall permit the expenditure of public funds from any official budget under his or her authority for any publication, advertisement, broadcast, or telecast of his or her photograph, voice, or other likeness to be broadcast or distributed to the public during the one hundred and twenty (120) days preceding any primary or general election in which he or she is a candidate.
(b) This section shall not be construed to prohibit an official from appearing on regular capitol television programming operated by the general assembly or on television stations operated by the Rhode Island PBS Foundation during the period of time or programming of regular or special meetings of city or town councils or any local governmental board, agency or other entity.
(c) This section shall not be construed to prohibit the publication, broadcast, or telecast of any photograph, voice, or other likeness of an elected official that is distributed to the public by or through an official government website or social media presence provided that the website or social media presence is continuously maintained in the regular course of official government business exclusively for general informational or transparency purposes.
History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 241, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 144, art. 7, § 3; P.L. 2019, ch. 302, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 17-23 - Election Offenses
Section 17-23-1. - Signature and labeling of advertising in periodicals.
Section 17-23-2. - Signature of posters, fliers, and circulars.
Section 17-23-3. - Penalty for advertising violations.
Section 17-23-4. - Fraudulent or repeat voting.
Section 17-23-5. - Bribery or intimidation of voters — Immunity of witnesses in bribery trials.
Section 17-23-6. - Improper influence by employers.
Section 17-23-7. - Protection of names of major parties.
Section 17-23-8. - Failure to furnish certificate of election.
Section 17-23-9. - Violations as to nomination papers or withdrawals — Protection of party emblems.
Section 17-23-10. - Violations by public officers generally.
Section 17-23-11. - Limitation of prosecutions — Payment to complainant.
Section 17-23-12. - Qualification of person obtaining signatures.
Section 17-23-13. - Sound equipment.
Section 17-23-14. - Political advertising.
Section 17-23-15. - Polling or surveying of voter opinion.
Section 17-23-16. - Guaranteed access in exchange for contributions prohibited.
Section 17-23-17. - Violations with respect to elections.
Section 17-23-18. - Political advertising from official budgets prohibited.