Bill > S01865

This bill establishes the Lift Our Communities Advertise Locally (LOCAL) program, which creates a tax credit to support local media and small businesses. The program allows eligible businesses, including minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and small businesses with 10 or fewer employees, to receive an 80% tax credit for advertising expenses in local newspapers and broadcast media, up to $5,000. The total annual tax credit pool is $10 million, with $6 million reserved for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses and $4 million for small businesses. To qualify, local newspapers and broadcast media must primarily cover local news, employ at least one full-time local journalist, publish or broadcast at least weekly, and carry media liability insurance. The bill defines strict criteria for what constitutes a "local newspaper" or "broadcast media business" to prevent large corporate media outlets from claiming the credit. Businesses must apply through the department of economic development, which will review applications and issue tax credit certificates. The program will run from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2030, after which it will automatically expire, providing targeted support to local media and small businesses during that period.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1865