Senate Bill No. 197, introduced by Senator Stine, aims to establish specific requirements for celebrity endorsements in election communications. The bill enacts new provisions in Louisiana law that mandate clear disclosures regarding the nature of celebrity endorsements. If a celebrity endorsement is paid for by a candidate or their political committee, the communication must explicitly state this. If the endorsement is funded by another party but authorized by the candidate, it must indicate that it is paid for by that third party. Additionally, if the endorsement is not authorized by the candidate, the communication must provide detailed contact information for the entity that financed it.

The bill also introduces definitions for "celebrity" and "paid celebrity endorsement," and outlines reporting requirements for candidates who make expenditures for such endorsements. Candidates must report these expenditures in accordance with existing reporting requirements, including details such as the amount spent, the name of the celebrity, the payment date, and the nature of the endorsement communication. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on August 1, 2025.