(Washington, D.C.) Louisiana H.B. 1044 – a bill drafted by CMOR – has passed both the State House and Senate with unanimous approval and awaits the signature of Governor Bobby Jindal (R). The proposed law would combat political persuasion calls (also known as ‘political telemarketing’ or ‘push polls’) while protecting legitimate survey and opinion research (including message testing).
As crafted by CMOR’s Government Affairs experts, H.B. 1044 prohibits making any telephone call expressly advocating support or opposition of a candidate, elected public official or ballot proposition without identifying the source of the call. The pending law exempts legitimate survey and opinion research.
H.B. 1044 significantly benefits survey and opinion researchers. The law not only applies to callers in Louisiana, but also to all phone contacts and communications with Louisiana respondents. Given the Louisiana legislature’s previous attempt to combat push polls by requiring extensive and bias-inducing disclosures in telephone surveys, this is a special victory.
This pending law will serve as a model for other states seeking to combat the scourge of push polls – particularly since it is the first law in the United States to define and protect message testing in research. It will also serve as a model law that researchers can promote themselves at the grassroots level.
"None of this would have been possible without the due diligence and support of Jude Olinger, our grassroots volunteer who helped kill an earlier bill that would have harmed research, and his work with Rep. Neil Abramson (D, District 98), the bill’s sponsor," said LaToya Lang, CMOR’s State Legislative Director.
About the Author
Based in Washington, DC, Howard is the Insights Association's lobbyist for the marketing research and data analytics industry, focusing primarily on consumer privacy and data security, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tort reform, and the funding and integrity of the decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Howard has more than two decades of public policy experience. Before the Insights Association, he worked in Congress as senior legislative staffer for then-Representatives Christopher Cox (CA-48) and Cliff Stearns (FL-06). He also served more than four years with a science policy think tank, working to improve the understanding of scientific and social research and methodology among journalists and policymakers.
Howard is also co-director of The Census Project, a 900+ member coalition in support of a fair and accurate Census and ACS.
He has also served previously on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and and the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
Howard has an MA International Relations from the University of Essex in England and a BA Honors Political Studies from Trent University in Canada, and has obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) and the Public Policy Certificate (PPC).
When not running advocacy for the Insights Association, Howard enjoys hockey, NFL football, sci-fi and horror movies, playing with his dog, and spending time with family and friends.