Wrap: The bill would force any candidate who publicizes a lie about an opponent to publicly retract the statement or pay damages.

This is the third year Representative Joe Don McGaugh has sponsored the bill.

McGaugh says the issue isn't new but he welcomes the recent conversations that have stemmed from State Auditor Tom Schweich's death.

Opponents of the bill say they worry about its constitutionality.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Krista Gmelich.

Wrap: Representative Joe Don McGaugh sponsored a bill that would prohibit candidates from knowingly publicizing a false statement about an opponent.

Sarah Rossi with the American Civil Liberties Union says she would like to see lying in political campaigns end but she still opposes the bill.

McGaugh says this bill is the first step to cleaning up politics.

A candidate who violates the proposed measure would have to retract their statement publicly or pay damages.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Krista Gmelich.