House Committee Substitute amends the 1st edition of the bill as follows:

In the new GS 163A-1411(29), changes the term “digital communication” to “qualified digital communication” and clarifies that this term means any communication, for a fee, placed or promoted on a Web site or online platform, and adds to the characteristics of a qualified digital communication the requirement that it have 100,000 or more unique monthly United States visitors or users for a majority of the immediately preceding 12 months.

Modifies amendments to GS 163A-1411(41) to clarify that, within the definition of an electioneering communication, a digital communication is a qualified digital communication and that among its characteristics is that it may be received by 5,000 or more individuals in the state in an election for statewide office or 750 or more individuals in any other election.

Amends GS 163A-1475(1) to clarify that a qualified digital communication is included within the definition of advertisement.

Deletes amendments in 2nd ed. to GS 163A-1411(43), 163A-1411(70), and 163A-1434(b).

Modifies amendments to GS 163A-1476 to clarify throughout that section that the digital communications are qualified digital communications, and that the disclosure statement must be in letters at least as large as the smallest text and have a reasonable degree of color contrast between the disclosure statement and the background.

Adds new section amending GS 163A-1477 to add qualified digital communications to disclosure requirements.

Modifies effective date clause to make the act effective September 1, 2018 (was January 1, 2019), and applies to elections conducted on or after that date.