State and local agencies face limits on certain advertising contracts

Agencies may not use certain news-rating companies, or ad firms that use them, to direct ad placements or programmatic ad purchases. It applies to state departments and agencies, public colleges using state funds, and local governments. The restriction covers contracts only when the service directs ad placements or programmatic ad purchases. The covered news-rating companies rate news for accuracy, bias, misinformation, or related standards. Companies that only measure audience size or gather press clippings or news are excluded. The section applies to covered contracts delivered, signed, changed, or renewed on or after July 1, 2026.

Agencies may not contract with entities directly or indirectly connected to people or entities on specified federal lists. It applies to contracts made by state agencies, public colleges using state funds, and local governments. The lists cover foreign adversaries, people excluded under terrorism-related immigration law, countries identified as repeatedly supporting international terrorism, and people or entities designated under the named executive orders. The section applies to covered contracts delivered, signed, changed, or renewed on or after July 1, 2026.

Agencies seeking advertising or marketing services must obtain written certifications from bidders and certain existing contractors. The duty covers bids for advertising or marketing services and older contracts when an agency plans to extend, renew, or change them. Bidders must certify that they are not news-rating companies and do not plan to use one for the contract. For a contract already in effect before July 1, 2026, the agency must get the certification before extending, renewing, or otherwise changing or modifying it. The section allows contracts for gathering relevant news and for analyzing or measuring ad performance. The section takes effect July 1, 2026; the certification for an older contract is due before the agency extends, renews, or changes it.