Committee OKs disclosure bill for paid digital political content
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Summary
The committee reported House Bill 5-40 favorable; the measure would require paid third‑party digital political communications to disclose that they were paid for by a campaign or other political actor.
Representative Knox presented House Bill 5-40 to require disclosures on certain digital political communications when a campaign pays a third party to post or boost content. The bill targets paid content by influencers and other third parties that run political messaging without clear attribution.
Members asked technical questions about whether organic posts by a candidate would be covered. Knox said the intent is to capture paid third‑party content — for example, an influencer paid out of campaign funds — and not a candidate's own organic posts. Representative Marcel and others supported the concept and moved the bill favorably.
The committee reported HB 5-40 favorable without recorded objection. The author said she is open to technical amendments on the floor to ensure the bill captures third‑party paid advertising rather than ordinary candidate posts.
