Section 2.50.356. Election-related use of public money.

	(a)  Money held by an entity listed in AS 15.13.145(a)(1) - (3) is considered specifically appropriated for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a ballot proposition election if the body with authority to appropriate gives notice in the public record that the purpose of the appropriation is to influence the outcome of that election or application. If an entity listed in AS 15.13.145(a)(1) - (3) does not have money specifically appropriated to influence a ballot proposition election, an officer or employee of the entity may use money held by that entity to communicate about a ballot proposition if the communication is made in the usual and customary performance of the officer's or employee's duties.  
	(b)  An election-related communication that a municipality pays for is considered to be intended to influence the outcome of an election unless it is a communication of information allowed under AS 15.13.145(c), including nonpartisan information about a ballot proposition or about all candidates seeking election to a particular public office. Information is nonpartisan if it does not advocate a position in an election. Nonpartisan information includes the official language of a ballot proposition, a neutral summary of a ballot proposition, and if provided for all candidates seeking a particular office, the candidates' names, contact information, or statements.  
	(c)  If an entity listed in AS 15.13.145(a)(1) - (3), or an officer or employee of the entity, uses budgeted money of the entity to make an election-related expenditure other than a communication of information allowed under AS 15.13.145(c), the entity shall disclose the expenditure, and report the information required in AS 15.13.040(e). If a municipality seeks to influence the outcome of an election using public money for that purpose, it shall register and report the information required under AS 15.13.040(b) and (c).  
	(d)  In this section, "money" means government money, government property and assets, and the use of property, assets, or human resources belonging to a government entity.  

Authorities

15.13.010;15.13.030;15.13.040;15.13.145

Notes

Authority

AS 15.13.010 AS 15.13.030 AS 15.13.040 AS 15.13.145

History

Eff. 1/1/2001, Register 156; am 12/22/2011, Register 200