The bill S.84, introduced by a group of Vermont Senators, aims to establish new standards for state contracting related to advertising services. It mandates that the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services allocate a minimum of 80 percent of the total annual value of contracts for print, digital, radio, and television advertising to local news and broadcast organizations. The bill also includes provisions for the exclusion of tourism-focused advertisements from this calculation and requires the Commissioner to maintain a list of eligible local organizations.

Additionally, the bill introduces a reporting requirement, stipulating that the Commissioner must submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the advertising services purchased by the state, including the amounts spent and the entities involved. The bill amends existing law to clarify the authority of the Commissioner and includes specific definitions for local news and broadcast organizations to ensure compliance with the new contracting standards. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 29-902(a), 29-902