Committee hears H.686 to require year‑round disclosure of paid lobbying advertisements

The Government Operations & Military Affairs committee heard testimony on H.686, a bill that would extend Vermont's identification and reporting requirements for certain paid lobbying advertisements to apply year‑round, the committee was told.

Representative Ophelia, the bill sponsor, told the committee the change is a narrow update to 2 V.S.A. §264(c) intended to close a disclosure gap that allows outside‑of‑session spending designed to influence elections and legislative outcomes to avoid public reporting. "It very simply extends the existing identification and reporting requirements that are in 2 V.S.A. §264(c) year‑round," Ophelia said, adding the bill "does not limit speech, advocacy, or political participation. It does not prohibit advertising."

Tim Deaflin of Legislative Council…