SB 213

Abstract

Amends the Strengthening Community Media Act. Provides that, for the fiscal year following the effective date of the amendatory Act, and each fiscal year thereafter, a State agency shall direct at least 5% of its total spending on advertising to local news organization publications, provided that a State agency may seek an exemption from this requirement upon a showing to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity that the purposes of the advertising are inconsistent with placement in a local news organization. Provides that the Department shall maintain a list of eligible local news organizations. Provides that all State agencies are prohibited from discriminating among local news organizations based on editorial content, unless that content is objectively relevant to the target audience and articulated purposes of the advertising. Provides that, no later than 3 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department shall publish on its website a report on the implementation of the Act. Provides that, for the first full fiscal year following the effective date of the amendatory Act, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department shall publish an annual report that includes specified information. Defines "State agencies".