(Washington, D.C.) — Louisiana Act 810 – legislation drafted by CMOR – which had passed both the State House and Senate with unanimous approval was signed yesterday by Governor Bobby Jindal (R). The law will 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, the law 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 law exempts legitimate survey and opinion research.
"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 for the profession. We are fortunate to have CMOR’s Government Affairs staff and volunteers working on our behalf," stated Lawrence Brownell, CEO of the Marketing Research Association.
State Representative Neil Abramson commented: "My view of this legislation was a proactive effort to deal with political robo-calls by requiring identification of the candidate, party, or entity behind the politically-motivated calls so the public is fully informed of the context of the call, but at the same time preserving legitimate survey and opinion research studies."
This is the first law in the United States to define and protect message testing in research. It will also serve as a model law for researchers to use in promoting pro-active legislation at the grassroots level.
"None of this would have been possible without the due diligence and support of Jude Olinger, a CMOR grassroots volunteer, and his work with Rep. Neil Abramson (D, District 98)," 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.