The proposed bill introduces a new section to the Code of West Virginia, designated as 5A-3-64, known as the "First Amendment Preservation Act." The primary purpose of this legislation is to prohibit state agencies from entering into contracts with media monitoring organizations that engage in the assessment of news sources for factual accuracy, particularly those that may contribute to misinformation or disinformation. The bill defines key terms such as "agency," "corporation," and "media monitoring organization," and establishes that any agency seeking advertising or marketing services must obtain written certification from contractors to ensure compliance with this act.

Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits state agencies from contracting with media monitoring organizations or advertising agencies that utilize their services. It also clarifies that agencies can still contract for services that aggregate news articles or provide analytical information on advertisement performance. The provisions of this act will take effect for all relevant contracts and agreements executed or renewed on or after July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5A-3-64