Advertising: false or misleading commercial disaster communication.
- Prohibits false advertising that misleads disaster victims by impersonating government or nonprofit organizations.
- Requires disaster-related ads to include clear disclosures about the business's for-profit status during emergencies.
- Imposes penalties up to $5,000 per violation and allows victims to recover triple damages.
- Applies for 60 days after a declared emergency and authorizes enforcement by state and local officials.
Assembly Member Flora's legislation targeting deceptive disaster-related advertising would establish new restrictions on commercial communications during declared states of emergency in California. The measure prohibits advertisements that falsely imply government or nonprofit endorsement of products and services related to disaster recovery.
Under the proposal, commercial communications during emergencies must include prominent disclaimers if they could be interpreted as coming from official sources. These disclaimers must clearly state that the advertisement has not been approved by government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Companies must also conspicuously display their name and incorporation status. The requirements apply from the start of a declared emergency until 60 days after it ends, with a maximum duration of 180 days per emergency.
The bill authorizes the Attorney General, local prosecutors, Insurance Commissioner, and Department of Consumer Affairs to pursue civil penalties up to $2,500 for initial violations and $5,000 for subsequent infractions. Individuals harmed by deceptive disaster advertisements may seek damages of three times the amount solicited. While creating new civil enforcement mechanisms, the measure explicitly states that violations do not constitute criminal offenses.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
 Jacqui IrwinD Assembly Member | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Rebecca Bauer-KahanD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Cottie Petrie-NorrisD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Prohibits false advertising that misleads disaster victims by impersonating government or nonprofit organizations.
- Requires disaster-related ads to include clear disclosures about the business's for-profit status during emergencies.
- Imposes penalties up to $5,000 per violation and allows victims to recover triple damages.
- Applies for 60 days after a declared emergency and authorizes enforcement by state and local officials.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Flora's legislation targeting deceptive disaster-related advertising would establish new restrictions on commercial communications during declared states of emergency in California. The measure prohibits advertisements that falsely imply government or nonprofit endorsement of products and services related to disaster recovery.
Under the proposal, commercial communications during emergencies must include prominent disclaimers if they could be interpreted as coming from official sources. These disclaimers must clearly state that the advertisement has not been approved by government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Companies must also conspicuously display their name and incorporation status. The requirements apply from the start of a declared emergency until 60 days after it ends, with a maximum duration of 180 days per emergency.
The bill authorizes the Attorney General, local prosecutors, Insurance Commissioner, and Department of Consumer Affairs to pursue civil penalties up to $2,500 for initial violations and $5,000 for subsequent infractions. Individuals harmed by deceptive disaster advertisements may seek damages of three times the amount solicited. While creating new civil enforcement mechanisms, the measure explicitly states that violations do not constitute criminal offenses.
Latest Voting History
Jacqui IrwinD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |