An act relating to expanding identification of certain lobbying advertisements

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Anne Donahue and 5 co-sponsors

Requires political ads influencing legislation to disclose who paid for them, including the funder’s name and that the ad was paid for, before final adjournment.

House message: Governor approved bill on June 17, 2026

Overview

H.686 (Session 2025-2026, Vermont) aims to expand and strengthen the identification requirements for certain lobbying advertisements during legislative sessions. The bill was introduced by a group of representatives and progressed with a favorable report from the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs.

Main purpose and intent

To ensure transparency around lobbying by requiring that certain political advertisements advocating or soliciting influence over legislative action disclose who paid for them.

Specifically, advertisements that are intended to influence legislative action and are published before the final adjournment of a biennial or adjourned session must identify the lobbyist, lobbying firm, or lobbyist employer that expenditures funded the ad, and indicate that the ad was paid for (in whole or in part) by that entity.

Key provisions and changes

Identification in advertising:

Ads aimed at influencing legislative action and placed before final adjournment must include:
The name of the lobbyist, lobbying firm, or lobbyist employer that spent money on the advertisement.
Language indicating that the advertisement was paid for, or paid in part, by the lobbyist, lobbying firm, or lobbyist employer.

Expanded scope of advertisements subject to disclosure:

An advertisement is defined broadly to include notices or communications in major media (radio, television, newspapers, other periodicals, internet websites) and communications widely disseminated to the public (mass mailings, robocalls, paid internet communications).
An “advertising campaign” is defined as ads that are substantially similar in nature, regardless of media.

Definitions and terminology:

The bill revises the definitions section to clarify what constitutes lobbying and to align it with the expanded advertising disclosure requirements.

Effective date:

The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Who/what would be affected

Lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist employers engaged in funding or sponsoring lobbying advertisements.

Advertisers and organizations that run paid communications intended to influence legislative action, across traditional and digital media.

Public-facing campaigns, including those conducted via mass mailings or online platforms, that are designed to influence legislative outcomes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Department/committee handling:

Introduced in the Vermont House and referred to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs; subsequently progressed with a favorable report (including a proposed amendment).

Legislative process milestones:

First reading and referral occurred in January 2026.
Passed the House (third reading, favorable with amendment) in March 2026.
Further committee activity and consideration occurred through May 2026, with a favorable report and proposal of amendment from the committee.

Effective date:

July 1, 2026.

Practical implications

Increased transparency for voters by linking paid political advertising to the source of funding.

Potentially broader compliance requirements for advertisers, including those using online or mass media channels.

May necessitate record-keeping and disclosure statements accompanying advertisements, aiding scrutiny by the public and the Secretary of State.

Bill