H 858 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act providing disclosure of political phone calls

This bill requires political campaigns to clearly disclose that phone calls are paid advertisements when conducting "push-polling" - a tactic that disguises negative messaging about candidates as a survey. It mandates callers to state upfront it is a "paid political advertisement," identify the organization and payer, provide a public phone number, and name the candidate(s) they support or oppose before asking any candidate-related questions. The rules apply to large-scale calls (over 2,000 in federal/state races, over 500 in local elections) lasting less than 2 minutes that mimic surveys but aim to influence voters. Violations carry fines up to $1,000, aiming to prevent deceptive political communication.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Sep 2, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Sep 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Election Laws
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jamie Murphy
Jamie Murphy
DDemocratic
MA
4th Norfolk