PNRC supports state press associations.

The PNRC Board and staff are available as a resource to states that are supporting or opposing legislation that maintains public notices where they belong in either newspapers or its successor e-edition. PNRC will prepare Op-Eds, letters of support or give video testimony when requested.

Let us know when a public notice bill is introduced and how PNRC can support your efforts as the industry adapts to the changing world.

 What’s Happening Around the Country?

Tennessee

Tennessee Lack of Public Notice – We are in an age where government feels emboldened to ignore the traditional normal process of public notice and public input.

In Tennessee, the Tennessee State Building Commissioners unanimously passed a proposal to give a no-rent lease to Elon Musk’s The Boring Company during a special meeting July 31. The agreement is reported to have been between Musk and TN Governor Lee, who described it as the coolest announcement during his time in office. However, legislators and citizens have concerns that this project was advanced without public notice, citizen input or environmental impact studies.

Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville “When in Tennessee’s history has a project of this magnitude, one that could fundamentally alter our city’s infrastructure — one that literally, quite literally, undermines the foundation of our city — been rushed through with zero consideration or public input, zero transparency”? – Chattanooga Times
Legislators and citizens said this action moved quickly through the approval process.

Minnesota


Minnesota – Public Notice Requirements Amended When a Designated Newspaper Closes
Minnesota amended its law to address public notice when the name of a newspaper changes or if a newspaper ceases to be published a notice may, by order of the court or judge, be designated to another newspaper publication. In some circumstances the notice may completed in any other qualified newspaper.



Minnesota Statute – 331A.10 CHANGE OF NAME OR DISCONTINUANCE OF NEWSPAPER. This section has been affected by law enacted during the 2025 Regular Session.

1.Change of name. When a public notice is required or ordered to be published in a particular newspaper and the name of the newspaper is changed before the publication is completed, the publication shall be made or continued in the newspaper under its new name with the same effect as if the name had not been changed. The proof of the publication, in addition to other requirements, shall state the change of name and specify the period of publication in the newspaper under each name.

2. Discontinuance. When a newspaper ceases to be published before the publication of a public notice is commenced, or when commenced ceases before the publication is completed, the order for publication, when one is required in the first instance, may be amended by order of the court or judge, to designate another newspaper, as may be necessary.

If no order is required in the first instance, publication may be made or completed in any other qualified newspaper. Any time during which the notice is published in the first newspaper shall be calculated as a part of the time required for the publication, proof of which may be made by affidavit of any person acquainted with the facts.

If no other qualified newspaper is available, the city must post the required notices on both its official website and the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s (MNA) statewide public notice website.

California

California – Enacts New Mortgage Servicing and Foreclosure Standards
California Legislative Analysis: According to the author: In real world situations, 120 days of failure to make a mortgage payment is not enough time to correct the situation. For example, in instances of a divorce, or the passing of an owner, four months just is not sufficient for the marital or deceased estate to make arrangements to either bring the loan current, or to otherwise sell the property for fair market value.

Under the current system, even if the home is listed for sale, the mortgage holder is within their rights and in fact frequently does move, shortly after 120 days has elapsed, to schedule a foreclosure auction. If a foreclosure auction occurs, the mortgage holder is not obligated to sell the property for fair market value (FMV). In many instances the home is sold for substantially less than FMV, selling for at, or slightly more than the outstanding mortgage. In those instances, the estate loses substantial equity in the home.

AB 2424 does not seek to prevent the mortgage holder from getting repaid, it only seeks to balance the equities, so that both the bank and the owner(s) of the property get their fair share of their interest in the value of the home.

For some families, a home is their only substantial asset. AB 2424 will reform the rules when payments have fallen behind due to unforeseen circumstances. The borrower is the last in line to receive the proceeds of a foreclosure sale, which is held first and foremost to make the lender and trustee whole. And, while the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) provides borrowers vital protections, it was not enacted with the purpose of helping a borrower preserve home equity. AB 2424 attempts to address this through new processes to maximize the opportunity for bids that are more favorable for the borrower. Specifically, AB 2424 would:

• Allow for one more opportunity for the owner to sell the home. The foreclosure sale is delayed by 60 days if the borrower provides the lender or the trustee with a listing agreement placed in a multiple listing service for the sale of the property, like a typical home would be sold.
• Establish a minimum bid price for the first foreclosure sale. A trustee cannot sell the property for less than 75% of the fair market value of the property. This minimum bid threshold follows a similar approach as Ohio to ensure the best outcome for the borrower.
• Allows for more flexibility in the second foreclosure sale. In the event that there are no successful bids consistent with the rules for the first auction, or an accepted contingent bid falls through, then the trustee may conduct a second sale at least seven days after the first and accept the highest bid, no matter the bid price.

New Jersey and Louisiana have enacted laws that no longer require public notices in newspapers.

Louisiana

Louisiana – HB526  Provides that a website established and maintained by the commissioner of administration shall be the official journal of the state and requires him to post certain information about boards and commissions on it.
This bill establishes a new digital official journal for the state of Louisiana, replacing the previous print newspaper-based system. The commissioner of administration will create and maintain a website that serves as the Official Journal of the State, where all public notices, advertisements, proclamations, laws, and joint resolutions will be published. The bill requires boards and commissions to submit detailed information to this website, including meeting notices, minutes, membership details, financial information, and employee data. Boards and commissions must submit this information annually by February first, with an officer certifying its accuracy. The legislation mandates that laws and joint resolutions be accessible on the website within 60 days after the legislative session’s final adjournment and remain available for at least one year. The bill also provides mechanisms for oversight, including notifications to legislative committees if boards fail to comply with reporting requirements. Importantly, the new system aims to increase government transparency by making a wide range of official information easily accessible to the public through a single, searchable online platform. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2027, allowing ample time for implementation and transition. Enacted.

New Jersey

New Jersey – NJ S4654 Provides for publication of required legal notices on government Internet websites and through certain online news publications.

This bill modernizes legal notice publication requirements in New Jersey by mandating that public entities and other organizations publish legal notices on official government websites and eligible online news publications starting March 1, 2026. The bill defines key terms like “legal notice” (any resolution, proclamation, or advertisement required by law to be published) and establishes specific criteria for online news publications to be eligible for publishing legal notices, such as maintaining an archive, being accessible without charge, and meeting minimum monthly unique website visit requirements based on geographic circulation (municipal, county, or state-wide). Public entities will be required to create dedicated legal notices webpages with conspicuous homepage links, and the Secretary of State will establish a centralized webpage linking to these individual legal notices’ pages. The bill provides flexibility for local government units to publish notices both on their websites and in online news publications and includes provisions protecting entities from liability for minor technical issues or temporary disruptions in online publication. Additionally, the legislation requires public entities to advertise twice monthly in online news publications during 2026 to inform the public about where complete legal notice texts can be found. The transition to this new system will be gradual, with mandatory implementation set for March 1, 2026, allowing government entities and news publications time to adapt to the new requirements. Enacted.

Reminder – Best Practices for Public Notice
Public Notices.

Must Be Published Independently of the Government and Other Public Trustees. When newspapers do not follow best practices, it impacts your press association’s advocacy with the legislators.



Publication should be in print and in digital format.

Print: Publication must have a fair price and a preexisting audience apart from public notice. Digital: There should be no cost to readers to access digital notices.

Public notices in print should be readable.

Readers should be able to find them. The best publishers provide enhanced services (e.g., email subscription) to specialized audiences at a reasonable price.

Publishers should make reasonable efforts to direct attention to notices.

Efficient indexing for ease of reader use, quick access to web links, and reporting on news embedded in important notices are among the tools publications can offer.

Print publication is self-authenticating.

Publishers should be prepared to provide an affidavit of publication Digital authentication is evolving Print authentication, particularly critical for real estate.

Public notices should be archived for proof of publication.

Archives should be open to public during reasonable office hours and copies should be available at publisher’s cost.

Archives should be preserved for historians.

Care should be taken to retain archives when systems or owners change.