AL HB282

Prohibits state and local agencies from entering into contracts with media monitoring organizations, defined as companies that rate or rank news sources for factual accuracy, bias, misinformation, or journalistic standards.

Prohibits agencies from contracting with advertising or marketing agencies that use media monitoring organization services, and prevents agencies from providing any support to media monitoring organizations except non-discretionary actions required by law.

Requires companies bidding for marketing service contracts to certify compliance with the prohibitions on using media monitoring organizations.

Requires contractors to certify compliance with media monitoring prohibitions before agencies can extend, renew, or modify advertising or marketing service contracts, effective October 1, 2025.

Carves out exceptions allowing agencies to contract for news aggregation services and allows companies to provide analytical or statistical information on advertisement performance.