The bill H.244 amends existing laws regarding state contracting standards, specifically focusing on advertising services. It updates 29 V.S.A. § 902(a) to clarify that the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services is responsible for contracting and purchasing for state agencies, with the ability to delegate purchasing authority under certain conditions. Additionally, it introduces new provisions under 29 V.S.A. § 910, which mandate that when contracting for print, digital, radio, or television advertising, the Commissioner must allocate at least 70 percent of the total annual value to local news and broadcast organizations. The bill also allows for exceptions for advertisements related to tourism and job postings.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a reporting requirement under 29 V.S.A. § 911, which obligates the Commissioner to submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the advertising services purchased by the state, including expenditure summaries by entity. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 29-902(a), 29-902
As Passed By the House -- Official: 29-902(a), 29-902
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 29-902(a), 29-902