An Act relative to transparent political campaigning

This bill aims to increase transparency in political advertising by updating how electioneering communications are defined and requiring specific disclosures in text messages. It expands the definition of electioneering communications to include SMS, MMS, and other text messages sent within 90 days of an election, while explicitly excluding news stories, debates, and unpaid internet content. The legislation mandates that any paid text message advertising a candidate must include a statement identifying the payer and listing their top five contributors who gave over $1,000 in the preceding year. Additionally, these messages must direct recipients to the official campaign finance website for more information. These changes directly affect political groups, corporations, and individuals who purchase advertising space to influence voters in Massachusetts.