Thank you to Richard Karpel for his dedication to protecting public notices.

Best Wishes on his retirement.

Jim Tarrant and Lisa McGraw look forward to working collaboratively with you to

• expand accessibility to public notices for the public while
• maintain the role of trusted local newspapers, as a disinterested, third-party or
• evolve to the digital descendant of a printed newspaper

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association supports bill to update Public Notice

In a press release, Rep. Robert L. Freeman outlined House Bill 1291. While maintaining the current legal requirement to publish public notices in printed newspapers of general distribution and circulation, in the event such a paper or its digital descendant does not exist, local governments and school districts would be able to publish their public notices in digital newspapers, online only and free publications, under Rep. Freeman’s legislation.

“As more newspapers expand digital platforms and many rural areas and certain demographics within the state struggle with limited internet access, this definition should be broadened to address the circumstances of all Pennsylvanians so that public notices reach as many people as possible,” said Freeman.

Freeman’s legislation would update the state’s nearly 50-year-old Newspaper Advertising Act to require that public notices continue to be published in print newspapers of general circulation, but if such a newspaper does not exist, the notice could be published in a digital newspaper of general circulation that is the decedent of a printed newspaper. If neither exists, the notice could be published in a free newspaper or an online-only newspaper.

“The changes proposed in my bill are consistent with various recent public notice statutes adopted across the nation and will update our public notice law while ensuring Pennsylvanians can continue to find public notices in their trusted local newspapers, a disinterested, third-party whose constitutional role is to hold government accountable,” Freeman said.

Under the bill, a “digital newspaper” would be an online newspaper formatted similarly to a printed newspaper which must meet specific statutory criteria regarding its purpose and its ties to the community or be a digital descendant of a printed newspaper. A “free newspaper” would be a printed newspaper published without charge that would also have to fit certain statutory criteria regarding its content. An “online-only newspaper” would be a newspaper that is available to the public exclusively online or digitally and must also meet additional statutory criteria.

Print and free newspapers would also have to maintain a website and post public notices online and in front of a paywall. Newspapers would also be required to post public notices on the statewide publicly accessible website maintained by the Pennsylvania News Media Association.

“Print newspapers serve an important and traditional role of informing the public of government matters as well as being an independent watchdog,” Freeman said. “My bill would enable them to continue in that important role.”

House Bill 1291 was referred to the House Local Government Committee for consideration.

Alabama

A safe-harbor measure is moving through the legislature in Alabama, where HB-320 amends the statute requiring newspaper notice for sealed bids on public works projects. It allows multiple alternative methods of government website and/or mailed notice to cure publication failures. The bill also authorizes the Department of Finance to adopt rules allowing for the publication of curative notice on a newspaper’s “website or digital version.” It is supported by the Alabama Press Association and passed the House unanimously last month.
April 17, 2025, Senate – Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar.

Alaska

The Alaska News Coalition has launched its public notices website for posting all notices published in any Alaska newspaper. Similar to other state press association-managed websites, Alaska’s new site is intended to provide the public a comprehensive, searchable one-stop clearinghouse of information. With fewer than 20 newspapers in Alaska, public notices are essential to keeping people informed about a wide range of government actions, said Larry Persily, publisher of the Wrangell Sentinel weekly paper and board chair of the Alaska News Coalition. 

North Dakota

Sent to North Dakota Governor

Senate Bill 2069 amends North Dakota’s legal notice publication requirements to provide more flexibility and ensure public access to important information. The legislation modifies existing law to require that when a legal notice must be published in a newspaper, it must also be posted on a statewide legal notices website maintained by the North Dakota Newspaper Association and the newspaper’s own website, at no additional cost to the entity placing the notice.

The bill introduces new provisions that allow state agencies to request immediate online publication of a notice, and if a newspaper fails to publish the physical newspaper notice, the online posting can still be considered a valid legal notification. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that minor, insubstantial errors in website-published notices that are the fault of the newspaper will not invalidate the notice’s legal effectiveness.

The bill aims to modernize legal notice publication by expanding digital access while maintaining the core purpose of ensuring public awareness of important governmental and legal information. The North Dakota Newspaper Association sees the bill as a “compromise.” The Senate passed the bill April 16, with a 32-15 vote. Signed by Governor 04/22 Filed with Secretary of State 04/23

Tennessee

Lawmakers in Tennessee are actively debating a wave of bills that could significantly reshape the way public notices are delivered and the role of newspapers in government transparency. Several proposals currently moving through the General Assembly aim to modernize, consolidate or limit print publication requirements, raising questions about cost, access and digital equity.

Texas

SB 1062 modifies the requirements for publishing public notices in newspapers in Texas, expanding the options for governmental entities. Currently, newspapers must meet specific criteria, including devoting at least 20% of content to general interest items, being published weekly, having postal periodical status or significant local circulation, and having been in continuous publication for at least 12 months.

The bill introduces a new option allowing governmental entities to publish notices in a “digital newspaper” if certain conditions are met. To qualify as a digital newspaper, publications must have an “audited paid-subscriber base”; been in business for at least three years; employ staff “in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity”; report on local events and governmental activities in the jurisdiction; and provide general interest news and update it at least once a week.

Backed by the Texas Press Association, SB-1062 and HB-3782 were designed for situations in which an official newspaper is forced to close its print edition in a county where no other papers qualify to publish notice under existing laws. This change provides more flexibility for public notice publication by recognizing digital media platforms that meet specific journalistic standards.

SB-1062 – Committee report sent to Calendars (on 04/29/2025)

HB-3782 – Placed on General State Calendar (on 05/01/2025)

 

SB 1080 allows political subdivisions (like local governments) to publish legally required public notices through alternative media channels instead of traditional newspaper publications, provided certain conditions are met. These alternative media options include social media, free newspapers, school newspapers, homeowners’ association newsletters, utility bills, direct mailings, and other media approved by the state comptroller. Before using an alternative method, the political subdivision must hold a public meeting demonstrating that the alternative media has greater circulation than the most widely circulated newspaper in their area.