Mass. bill would require corporations to disclose non‑government status and funding when engaging cities, towns

Representative Justin Thurber of Somerset filed House Bill No. 500 on Jan. 17, 2025, proposing that corporations interacting with Massachusetts cities and towns must disclose that they are non‑governmental organizations and publish their funding sources. The bill was filed in the 194th General Court (2025–2026) and the petition lists Representative John R. Gaskey of the 2nd Plymouth as an additional petitioner on Jan. 23, 2025. The filing was placed with the House committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

The bill, titled “An Act relative to corporate disclosure when dealing with cities and towns,” would add a new Section 30 to Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Under the proposed language, any corporation that “does not possess legal or appointed governmental power at the municipal or state level” would be required to post a disclaimer stating it is a non‑governmental organization and that public written or digital information it provides was developed by the corporation. The bill specifies that the disclaimer must be posted in a “conspicuous and easily accessible place,” and explicitly lists a corporation’s website as an example of such placement.

The proposal sets additional digital‑platform requirements for corporations that “are or plan to participate in lobbying for legislative proposals.” Those entities would be required to post the disclaimer on their email, website, social media platforms and “any other form of digital content accessible to the public.” The bill also defines “public record” to include written statements and audio or video recordings of public proceedings, and would require any corporation and its representatives speaking on proposals in a public forum — including town meetings and public hearings at the state and local levels — to submit a disclaimer to be included on the public record and made accessible through a public records request.

Separately, the text would require all corporations to include, on their websites and in any written or digital content accessible to the public, a statement identifying the corporation’s sources of funding. The bill lists examples of funding sources to include “any individuals, groups of people, or committees providing financial support to the corporation,” and requires that statement to be posted conspicuously and in an easily accessible format.

The filing itself is a proposal; the bill text does not indicate committee action, votes or adoption. As introduced, the measure would amend state statute and therefore must pass both chambers of the Legislature and be signed by the governor, or follow the applicable enactment procedures, before becoming law. The petition and bill were filed as part of the 194th General Court session and assigned to the House committee named in the filing for initial consideration.

Key provisions at filing: the creation of a new Section 30 in Chapter 180; a requirement that non‑governmental corporations post conspicuous disclaimers; a requirement that entities engaging in lobbying post the disclaimer on email, websites and social media; a definition of “public record” covering public‑proceeding recordings; a requirement that corporations speaking in public forums submit disclaimers for the public record; and a requirement to disclose funding sources in public digital content. The bill text does not specify enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or effective dates.

If the bill advances, next procedural steps would typically include committee hearings, possible amendments, and a committee report recommending further action to the House. The bill filing provides the statutory text proposed by its sponsors but does not reflect any committee deliberation or legislative findings beyond the text itself.