The Maryland General Assembly has passed the Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026 (SB 459), establishing a first-in-the-nation, revenue-neutral model to strengthen and sustain local news organizations across the state.
The legislation requires Maryland state agencies to prioritize local news organizations for at least 50 percent of their advertising spending, ensuring public dollars are reinvested in Maryland’s local information ecosystem. The policy applies broadly to print, digital, and broadcast outlets, recognizing the full range of platforms that serve Maryland communities.
“This legislation reflects a practical shift in how we support local news,” said Rebecca Snyder, executive director of the MDDC Press Association. “It recognizes that local news is essential infrastructure for communities and treats it that way. By directing existing resources more intentionally, Maryland is strengthening the systems people rely on for timely, fact-based information. It also changes the conversation: sustainable support for local media can be built into everyday government operations.”
MDDC Press Association thanks the bill’s Senate sponsors — Sens. Jim Rosapepe, Malcolm Augustine, Guy Guzzone, Shelly Hettleman, Nancy King, Karen Lewis Young, Cory McCray, and Craig Zucker — and House sponsor Delegate Linda Foley for their leadership. Special recognition goes to Delegate Foley, Sen. Rosapepe and Sen. McCray for their sustained efforts to advance the legislation.
Rebuild Local News provided strong policy support and partnership throughout the legislative process.
Maryland is the first state in the nation to adopt this approach statewide. While cities such as New York City and San Francisco have implemented similar targeted advertising policies, this legislation represents a broader, statewide framework that can serve as a model for others.
The approach is designed to be revenue-neutral by redirecting existing government advertising spending rather than creating new funding streams. By keeping these dollars within Maryland-based news organizations, the policy supports local jobs, strengthens community information access, and improves the reach and effectiveness of public communications.
The legislation will now be sent to Gov. Wes Moore for his signature. The MDDC Press Association urges the governor to sign this legislation into law and continue Maryland’s leadership in strengthening local news.
Local news organizations play a central role in connecting residents with reliable information, supporting civic participation, and helping communities stay informed about issues that affect daily life. This legislation reinforces that role by aligning public spending with the local media infrastructure that serves Marylanders.