SF 2600

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/28/2025 09:52 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to state government; requiring that one-half of an agency's advertising
expenses be paid to local news organizations; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 15.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [15.442] LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATION ADVERTISING BY STATE
AGENCIES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Advertising" means providing consideration for the publication, dissemination,
solicitation, or circulation of visual, oral, or written communication to either:
new text end

new text begin (1) directly induce any person to utilize or participate in a service offered by an agency;
or
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new text begin (2) make any person aware of information relevant to an agency or a program or public
awareness campaign operated by an agency.
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new text begin (c) "Agency" means any state officer, employee, board, commission, authority,
department, entity, or organization of the executive branch of state government. Agency
does not include the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Local news organization" means a print, digital, or hybrid publication, or a broadcast
or radio station, that:
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new text begin (1) primarily serves the needs of the state of Minnesota or a regional, local, or ethnic
community within Minnesota;
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new text begin (2) primarily has content derived from primary sources relating to news and current
events;
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new text begin (3) employs at least one journalist who resides in Minnesota and who regularly gathers,
collects, photographs, records, writes, or reports news or information that concerns local
events or other matters of local public interest; and
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new text begin (4) has a known Minnesota-based office of publication or broadcast where business is
transacted during usual business hours with a local telephone number and must list contact
information in each updated publication.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin State agency advertising. new text end

new text begin Beginning July 1, 2025, at least 50 percent of an
agency's expenditures on advertising must be made through local news organizations, with
an emphasis on local newspapers where practicable. Advertising primarily targeted at
out-of-state residents is not subject to this requirement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2026, and each year thereafter, all agencies must
publish an annual report that includes but is not limited to:
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new text begin (1) the total advertising spending by the agency;
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new text begin (2) the total percentage of advertising spending through local news organizations;
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new text begin (3) the total percentage of advertising spending through local newspapers; and
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new text begin (4) the recipients of the advertising spending.
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new text begin These reports may be published separately by each agency or as one report organized by
agency. The reports must be publicly posted on agency websites and delivered to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over state
government operations.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end