The legislation, backed by bipartisan support, will require state agencies to direct 50 percent of their advertising budgets to eligible local news outlets and mandate public reporting of their ad spending
On April 13, Maryland senators passed unanimously, with strong bipartisan support, a law requiring that half of the state’s advertising dollars be directed to community news outlets, establishing the nation’s first statewide government advertising set-aside.
After advancing out of both chambers earlier in the session, the bill received its final Senate floor vote, 45–0, with a dozen Republican yea votes. The bill is now headed to Gov. Wes Moore’s desk, where he has 30 days to act before it becomes law. It is slated to take effect on Oct. 1, 2026, potentially reinvesting millions in advertising revenue in local newsrooms serving Maryland communities.
Read more at thecommunitypress.com >>
