SB 459 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026)

SB 459 requires Maryland state government units to spend at least 50% of their total budget for print and digital advertising contracts directly with qualifying local news organizations. It defines "local news organizations" as entities producing original local content, employing full-time Maryland-based staff, meeting circulation or audience requirements (e.g., 33% Maryland audience for digital outlets), and disclosing ownership. The law excludes advertising for tourism promotion or employee recruitment. It applies to all state government advertising contracts starting October 1, 2026, aiming to support local journalism through government spending.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Aug 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Vetoed

May 2026

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Vetoed May 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026) → Enrolled - Procurement - Advertising - Maryland News Organizations (Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill transitioned from a draft Senate version to an enrolled final version, adding formal proofreading signatures and Governor approval lines required for law. Substantively, the definition of a 'Local Maryland News Organization' was slightly modified to specify that at least one employee must be 'full-time equivalent' and to clarify that digital news organizations must publish content weekly. The procurement goal of directing 50% of advertising dollars to local news remains unchanged.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability remains the same, targeting state procurement contracts for print and digital advertising.

TECHNICAL

Added formal proofreader signatures and Governor approval lines to complete the legislative process.

DEFINITION

Clarified that eligible news organizations must have at least one 'full-time equivalent' employee dedicated to Maryland coverage.

Refined the requirement for digital-only news organizations to publish at least one piece about Maryland events per week.

Added a specific requirement that digital news organizations must demonstrate that at least 33% of their audience is located in Maryland.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

47–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 49

Mar 26, 2026

D Democratic36

35 Yea 1

97% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Aug 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Postpone Indefinitely (Senator King) Adopted

upper

May 22, 2026

Vetoed

Vetoed by the Governor (Policy)

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Mar 30, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (130-7-5)

house of delegates

Mar 26, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (47-0-2)

senate

Mar 21, 2026

Committee

Referred Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

First Reading Budget and Taxation

upper

8 primary · 0 co-sponsors