Massachusetts Campaign Finance Laws Tackle Political Spending Transparency in 2026

Campaign finance is a powerful tool that can significantly influence political appointments, as well as later committee work and legislation. By donating money to a campaign, you can support individuals and causes that align with your priorities. Each state has its own rules for disclosing political contributions and lobbying disclosures. Massachusetts is known for its complex campaign finance guidelines and strong stance against dark money. In politics, money talks, but it's essential to stay informed about changing regulations to ensure funds are used legally, especially in the Bay State.

Massachusetts Campaign Finance Regulatory Framework

The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) enforces Chapter 55 of the General Laws, the Commonwealth's campaign finance statutes. In addition to OCPF oversight, the Citizens Commission Concerning a Constitutional Amendment for Government of the People was established after the passage of a statewide ballot measure in 2018. The commission works towards potential Constitutional amendments affirming that corporations do not have the same rights as individuals and that campaign contributions and expenditures may be regulated.

2026 Massachusetts Campaign Finance Reform Legislation

Recently, multiple pieces of legislation supported by OCPF were introduced to reform Massachusetts' campaign finance laws. The proposals below reflect the state's ongoing focus on transparency and accountability in political spending.

Enhanced Reporting and Disclosure Requirements

S.2898 requires ballot campaigns to routinely report to the public who is funding their campaigns and how the money is being spent. The measure passed unanimously in January 2026 and aims to increase transparency in campaign finance, give voters access to the information they need to make informed choices, and guard against a rise in special interests paying millions to put their own priorities on the ballot. Enacted

H.848 focuses on reporting and disclosure requirements. It raises itemization thresholds and requires independent expenditure PACs to submit more frequent reports. In First Chamber

Political Committee Oversight and AI Advertisement Rules

S.2935 expands the definition of political committees and brings more organizations under the oversight of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF). It also tightens contribution limits between committees, increases penalties for violations, and updates reporting systems. Reported from Committee

H.846 creates new disclosure requirements for political advertisements containing AI-generated audio or video. The issue of deepfakes has come up again recently, as Gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve used an AI-generated version of current MA Governor Maura Healey's voice in a political advertisement. Reported from Committee

Foreign Corporation Spending Restrictions

H.875 and S.525 propose limiting political spending by foreign-influenced corporations, closing loopholes created by federal campaign finance changes. This legislation is part of a broader trend to clamp down on political spending by "foreign-influenced" corporations. (A previous blog post on this topic is located here). H.875 and S.525 Are Both Carried Over From 2025, Not Currently Moving

Compliance Impact for Government Affairs Professionals

For compliance and government affairs professionals, these reforms point towards increased oversight. Organizations should monitor developments closely and prepare for changes that could affect campaign contributions and overall compliance practices in Massachusetts.

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Keeping up with rules, deadlines, and often confusing requirements is a daunting prospect for teams of all sizes. Let us manage your federal, state, and local registration and reporting responsibilities, or manage your Campaign Finance program. Read more about our Compliance Services here, or get in touch here.