1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to state government; requiring that one-half of an agency's advertising
1.3 expenses be paid to local news organizations; proposing coding for new law in
1.4 Minnesota Statutes, chapter 15.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [15.442] LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATION ADVERTISING BY STATE
1.7AGENCIES.
1.8 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
1.9the meanings given.
1.10 (b) "Advertising" means providing consideration for the publication, dissemination,
1.11solicitation, or circulation of visual, oral, or written communication to either:
1.12 (1) directly induce any person to utilize or participate in a service offered by an agency;
1.13or
1.14 (2) make any person aware of information relevant to an agency or a program or public
1.15awareness campaign operated by an agency.
1.16 (c) "Agency" means any state officer, employee, board, commission, authority,
1.17department, entity, or organization of the executive branch of state government. Agency
1.18does not include the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
1.19 (d) "Local news organization" means a print, digital, or hybrid publication, or a broadcast
1.20or radio station, that:
1.21 (1) primarily serves the needs of the state of Minnesota or a regional, local, or ethnic
1.22community within Minnesota;
1Section 1.
REVISOR SGS/DG 25-0443803/11/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 2609
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Anderson, P. H.,03/20/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy 2.1 (2) primarily has content derived from primary sources relating to news and current
2.2events;
2.3 (3) employs at least one journalist who resides in Minnesota and who regularly gathers,
2.4collects, photographs, records, writes, or reports news or information that concerns local
2.5events or other matters of local public interest; and
2.6 (4) has a known Minnesota-based office of publication or broadcast where business is
2.7transacted during usual business hours with a local telephone number and must list contact
2.8information in each updated publication.
2.9 Subd. 2.State agency advertising.Beginning July 1, 2025, at least 50 percent of an
2.10agency's expenditures on advertising must be made through local news organizations, with
2.11an emphasis on local newspapers where practicable. Advertising primarily targeted at
2.12out-of-state residents is not subject to this requirement.
2.13 Subd. 3.Reporting.By February 1, 2026, and each year thereafter, all agencies must
2.14publish an annual report that includes but is not limited to:
2.15 (1) the total advertising spending by the agency;
2.16 (2) the total percentage of advertising spending through local news organizations;
2.17 (3) the total percentage of advertising spending through local newspapers; and
2.18 (4) the recipients of the advertising spending.
2.19These reports may be published separately by each agency or as one report organized by
2.20agency. The reports must be publicly posted on agency websites and delivered to the chairs
2.21and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over state
2.22government operations.
2.23 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
2Section 1.
REVISOR SGS/DG 25-0443803/11/25