The proposed legislation, known as Substitute Bill No. 1230, aims to regulate the purchase of print and digital advertising by state agencies in Connecticut. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill defines a "publisher of news" and mandates that, starting July 1, 2026, state agencies must contract with a commercial or nonprofit publisher of news based in Connecticut for at least 15% of their total annual advertising contracts. The bill also allows state agencies to request waivers from this requirement if they can demonstrate that compliance would interfere with the purpose of the advertising. Additionally, the Commissioner of Administrative Services is tasked with establishing guidelines for these contracts and will report annually on advertising expenditures and waiver requests.

The bill includes provisions that exempt contracts primarily aimed at out-of-state audiences, such as those for tourism or economic development. It requires state agencies to submit a summary of their advertising purchases to the Commissioner of Administrative Services by December 1 each year, starting in 2026. The Commissioner will then compile and submit a report to the General Assembly detailing the advertising purchases, amounts spent, and any waiver requests received. This legislation seeks to support local news publishers while ensuring transparency in state advertising expenditures.