Senate committee hears draft law to require disclosure of paid celebrity political endorsements; consideration deferred

Senate Bill 197, presented by Senator Stewart Stein on April 16, 2025, would require disclosure when a paid celebrity endorsement is used in political communications. Senator Stein said the goal is transparency: "Wouldn't it be nice to know if Oprah Winfrey was paid a million dollars to endorse Kamala Harris?" he asked, describing the measure as intended to "increase the accountability and inform the public when celebrities attempt to influence elections, particularly through paid endorsements."

Committee members pressed on practical enforcement and definitions. Senator Fassi asked how the rule would be enforced; Stein said existing campaign reporting periods and statutes governing political expenditures provide the framework and that an explicit payment for an endorsement would be disclosed on campaign filings. "There's a reporting period...you would have to disclose that almost immediately," Stein said. Members raised the distinction between paid endorsements and voluntary, unpaid expressions of support and whether payments for venue rental or event services would count as endorsements or in‑kind contributions. Stein said the measure targets explicit, compensated endorsements and that he would work with counsel to tighten definitions as needed.

Committee members also asked who would count as a "celebrity." The sponsor read a working definition in the draft as "a person or public figure who's widely recognized, admired, or famous, often due to their achievements or presence in the public eye at a national, regional, or local level," and said he would consider narrowing that language before the next hearing. Bruce Riley of Vote testified with concerns about penalties and enforcement; some senators suggested stiffer penalties could be considered so the reporting requirement would have deterrent effect.

After questions and discussion the sponsor agreed to defer the bill to next week's hearing so members and staff can work through enforcement language and definitions. The committee recorded the deferral on the transcript.