Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB459: Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026)
Status: Vetoed, August 3, 2026
Requiring units of State government to ensure that at least 50% of the unit's total dollar value of procurement contracts for advertising is being made directly to Maryland news organizations; requiring units of State Government to prioritize the use of Maryland news organizations that have a primary mission of reporting on and serving underserved communities; and authorizing a unit of State government to consult with a third-party non-profit organization to prepare and maintain a list of eligible local news organizations.
What the bill says
An act concerning Procurement - Advertising - Local Maryland News Organizations (Local Newspapers News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring a unit of State government to ensure that at least a certain amount of the unit's total dollar value of procurement contracts for print and digital advertising is being made directly to local Maryland news organizations; authorizing a unit of State government to consult with a certain organization under certain circumstances; and generally relating to procurement contracts made to local Maryland news organizations…
From the enrolled text, April 14, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Procurement - Advertising - Local Maryland News Organizations (Local Newspapers News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring a unit of State government to ensure that at least a certain amount of the unit's total dollar value of procurement contracts for print and digital advertising is being made directly to local Maryland news organizations; authorizing a unit of State government to consult with a certain organization under certain circumstances; and generally relating to procurement contracts made to local Maryland news organizations. BY adding to Article - State Finance and Procurement Section 14-419 Annotated Code of Maryland EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. Underlining indicates amendments to bill. Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by amendment. Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference co mm i tte e a m en dm en ts*. sb0459* SENATE BILL (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - State Finance and Procurement 14-419. (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION, "LOCAL MARYLAND NEWS ORGANIZATION" MEANS AN ENTITY THAT: (I) ENGAGES PROFESSIONALS TO CREATE, EDIT, PRODUCE, AND DISTRIBUTE ORIGINAL CONTENT CONCERNING MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST THROUGH …