Legislation - SB0459

Title: Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026)
Sponsored by: Senators Rosapepe, Augustine, Guzzone, Hettleman, King, Lewis Young, McCray, and Zucker
Status: In the Senate - Passed Enrolled
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note (Revised)

Synopsis

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.

Committees

Original:: Budget and Taxation Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Government, Labor, and Elections Click to view Recorded Media

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Cross-filed with: HB0043

Bill File Type: Regular

Effective Date(s): October 1, 2026

History

Legislation History
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/02/2026 Legislative Date 2/02/2026 Action First Reading Budget and Taxation Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Procurement - Advertising - Local News Organizations (Local Newspapers for Maryland Communities Act of 2026) Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/04/2026 Legislative Date 2/04/2026 Action Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Budget and Taxation Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/19/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/03/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {523924/1 Adopted Proceedings 42 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/03/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 42 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026) Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/05/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (42-0) Proceedings 44 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/21/2026 Legislative Date 3/09/2026 Action Referred Government, Labor, and Elections Proceedings 46 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/26/2026 Legislative Date 3/26/2026 Action Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - House - Committee - Government, Labor, and Elections Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/11/2026 Legislative Date 4/11/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/11/2026 Legislative Date 3/28/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {373325/1 Adopted Proceedings 65 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/11/2026 Legislative Date 3/28/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 65 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 3/30/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (129-7) Proceedings 67 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 3/26/2026 Action Senate Concurs House Amendments Proceedings 65 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 3/26/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (45-0) Proceedings 65 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/13/2026 Legislative Date 3/26/2026 Action Passed Enrolled Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Enrolled - Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026) Proceedings

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
Senate	2/02/2026	2/02/2026	First Reading Budget and Taxation
			Text - First - Procurement - Advertising - Local News Organizations (Local Newspapers for Maryland Communities Act of 2026)
Senate	2/04/2026	2/04/2026	Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - Senate - Committee - Budget and Taxation	Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/19/2026	3/19/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation
Senate	3/19/2026	3/03/2026	Favorable with Amendments {523924/1 Adopted	42 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/19/2026	3/03/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	42 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026)
Senate	3/20/2026	3/05/2026	Third Reading Passed (42-0)	44 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/21/2026	3/09/2026	Referred Government, Labor, and Elections	46 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/26/2026	3/26/2026	Hearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - House - Committee - Government, Labor, and Elections	Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/11/2026	4/11/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
House	4/11/2026	3/28/2026	Favorable with Amendments {373325/1 Adopted	65 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/11/2026	3/28/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	65 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/13/2026	3/30/2026	Third Reading Passed (129-7)	67 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/13/2026	3/26/2026	Senate Concurs House Amendments	65 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/13/2026	3/26/2026	Third Reading Passed (45-0)	65 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/13/2026	3/26/2026	Passed Enrolled
			Text - Enrolled - Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026)

File Code

Subjects

Statutes