Current Legislation
The Communications Transparency Package
Four bills to protect taxpayer dollars, ensure government accountability, and promote election fairness across Pennsylvania. If taxpayers paid for it — they deserve to know about it, see it, and be protected from it being used against them.
Why This Package?
Pennsylvania is one of the few states without uniform laws restricting, requiring disclosure of, or mandating reporting on taxpayer-funded mass communications by elected officials. This package closes all four gaps at once.
Fairness Act
When taxpayer-funded communications may be distributed during election periods.
Transparency Act
Who paid for the communication.
Reporting Act
How much taxpayer money was spent.
Archive Act
Where taxpayer-funded communications are stored and how long they are retained.
Taxpayer-Funded Communications Fairness Act
A Uniform Standard for Election Fairness and Accountability
This legislation protects taxpayer dollars and ensures government communications serve the public — not political campaigns — by prohibiting taxpayer-funded mass communications by elected officials during the period immediately preceding an election.
Who Is Covered
All elected officials in Pennsylvania — State, county, municipal, school district, judicial, and all other elected offices.
What Is Prohibited
The use of government resources to distribute mass communications during a restricted period.
Mass Communication Defined
A communication to 50 or more recipients in any seven-day period that is substantially identical or similar.
Enforcement
Civil penalties of $1,000–$25,000 per violation, overseen by the State Ethics Commission.
Taxpayer-Funded Communications Transparency Act
If Taxpayers Paid for It, Taxpayers Should Know.
This legislation requires all mass communications paid for with taxpayer dollars to clearly disclose the source of the public funds — promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust.
What Is Required
Any mass communication paid for in whole or in part with taxpayer dollars must include the required disclosure identifying the governmental entity that paid for it.
Required Disclosure Language
"PAID FOR WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS – [NAME OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY]"
Where Disclosure Must Appear
Printed materials, digital communications, video, audio, and social media content — each with specific placement requirements.
Enforcement
Civil penalties of $500–$10,000 per violation, overseen by the State Ethics Commission.
Taxpayer-Funded Communications Reporting Act
If Taxpayers Paid for the Communication, Taxpayers Should Be Able to Determine How Much It Cost.
This legislation creates a uniform statewide reporting system requiring governmental entities to publicly disclose spending on taxpayer-funded mass communications.
What Must Be Reported
Date, type, cost, vendor, intended audience, number of recipients reached, and funding source for each communication.
Annual Communications Report
Governmental entities must publish annual reports identifying total expenditures, largest vendors, and spending by category.
Public Access
Communications expenditure information must be maintained in a publicly accessible format to improve transparency and taxpayer oversight.
Enforcement
Civil penalties of $1,000–$25,000 per violation, overseen by the State Ethics Commission.
Public Archive of Taxpayer-Funded Communications Act
"If Taxpayers Paid for It, Taxpayers Should Be Able to See It."
This legislation establishes a uniform statewide archive and retention system for taxpayer-funded mass communications — promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust.
Who Is Covered
All state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, boards, commissions, authorities, and all other elected offices in Pennsylvania.
What Must Be Archived
All mass communications paid for in whole or in part with taxpayer dollars — including newsletters, email campaigns, social media advertising, radio and TV ads, and more.
Public Access
Archived communications must be publicly accessible, searchable when technologically feasible, available without charge, and maintained in electronic format.
Enforcement
Enforced by the Attorney General, District Attorneys, and other authorities authorized by law. Civil penalties, injunctive relief, and compliance orders.
Download All Materials
Download infographics, bill summaries, co-sponsorship memos, fact sheets, and supporting documents for the Communications Transparency Package.
Fairness Act
Transparency Act
Reporting Act
For media inquiries or to request additional materials, contact [email protected]
Enforcement Across All Four Bills
Each bill in the Communications Transparency Package includes meaningful enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.
Oversight
The State Ethics Commission has authority to investigate violations.
Penalties
Civil penalties ranging from $500 to $25,000 per violation, plus reimbursement of improperly spent public funds.
Injunctive Relief
The Commonwealth Court may grant temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief.
Public Reporting
Final determinations of violations will be published on the State Ethics Commission website.
Support This Legislation
To learn more, share these materials, or get involved in advancing the Communications Transparency Package, reach out directly.
This legislation is consistent with the First Amendment and does not restrict speech. It simply ensures transparency by informing the public when their tax dollars are being used to communicate, and fairness by preventing those dollars from being used for political advantage during election periods.