Skip to main content

State Legislative Affairs Committee

The focus of the State Legislative Affairs Committee is to track and advise on legislation at the state level impacting the media industry. The Committee advocates for the advancement of laws that further First Amendment concerns and access to government information, and defend against laws that minimize First Amendment rights or decrease access to government information.

In working on legislative matters, we reach out to groups and organizations outside of the media industry to build broader coalitions.  On these webpages, the Committee maintains a database of information — links to proposed bills, existing statutes, talking points and articles — on state legislative matters for MLRC members.

If there is pending legislation in your state that would be of interest to MLRC members, please contact us.

To join this or any other committee, email us.

Publications

Drones: Regulation and Practices
State Legislative, Federal Affairs and Newsgathering Committees, January 2018

Model Policy on Police Body-Worn Camera Footage
May 2015

2014 State Legislative Highlights

The committee reports on some of the most significant pieces of legislation (good and bad) passed in 2014 in various state legislatures.

2013 State Legislative Highlights

The committee reports on some of the most significant pieces of legislation (good and bad) passed in 2013 in various state legislatures.


Areas of Interest

Access

Advertising Tax

“Ag Gag”

Anti-SLAPP

Body cam

Defamation

Drones

Electronic Devices in Courts

Fee Shifting

Libel Tourism

Mugshots

Newsgathering

Paparazzi Legislation

Privatization of Government Work

Public Notice Advertising

Reporter’s Privilege/Shield Laws

Retraction Statutes

“Revenge Porn

Revictimization Law

Right of Publicity

Wiretapping

Other Measures

MLRC Committee Reports

Model Policy on Police Body-Worn Camera Footage
May 2015

2014 State Legislative Highlights
November 2014

2013 State Legislative Highlights
November 2013

The MLRC Model Media Decorum Order for High Profile Cases
Newsgathering Committee, January 2011

Model Policy on Access and Use of Electronic Portable Devices in Courthouses and Courtrooms
Newsgathering Committee, June 2010

MLRC Committee Minutes

Related Materials
Feb 2018

Drones: Regulation and Practices

A report summarizing the FAA’s rules governing the use of a drone by members of the media. The report also covers other applicable federal regulations, best practices, criminal statutes that might be implicated with drone use, and potential developments in 2018, along with links to helpful portals, policies and other resources.

TOPICS :
May 2015