(Washington) State House approves ban on campaign lies

[TechBear_Seattle]

State House approves ban on campaign lies

OLYMPIA -- Political candidates in Washington would once again be banned from telling lies on the campaign trail under a proposed law approved Monday by the state House.

The bill, passed out of the House on a 92-2 vote, seeks to reinstate an old law that was thrown out on free speech grounds by the state Supreme Court in 2007. The court said the state's former ban on lying in campaigns violated the First Amendment because it did not require proof that campaign falsehoods were defamatory.

Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way, said this year's attempt at reinstating the ban on campaign lies addresses the court's problems with the old law. Specifically, the bill approved Monday would prohibit false statements that are libelous or defamatory, and committed with actual malice - a key legal test in free speech case law.

"This bill simply establishes some overdue minimum standards of honesty and decency in political campaigning," said Miloscia, the bill's prime sponsor. The bill, which was requested by the state Public Disclosure Commission, now moves to the state Senate for further consideration.

The article continues at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/401179_lies24.html

[Donnachaidh]

1. So would Palin's "Palling around with Terrorists" remark get her lying ass some jailtime?

Enquiring minds want to know. :evilgrin:

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Alas, no

A quick perusal of the bill (see post #2) would seem to indicate that the penalty is limited to withdrawal of the offending comments.

[Donnachaidh]

4. you're no fun anymore

:evilgrin:

Well now I'm going to go pout. The though almost made my day.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Text of SHB 1286

(SHB = Substitute House Bill, ie the bill originated in the state house, and the original text was modified in committee.)

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1286-S.pdf