Nebraska creates three-tier system – new business models, public notices remain with trusted sources, and opportunities for digital-only publications
What began in early 2025 as legislation the Nebraska Press Association opposed has evolved into what “might be the most important legislation we’ve ever passed,” according to John Erickson, 2025 president of the association.
LB 596 expands what it means to be a legal newspaper in Nebraska, creating a three-tier system that allows newspapers to explore new business models, ensures public notices remain with trusted sources, and provides opportunities for digital-only publications in news deserts.
During the 2026 legislative session, LB 596 was designated as the committee’s priority bill, with additional related legislation incorporated into it. The bill passed 46-3 and was signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen on April 14. An emergency clause allowed it to take effect immediately.
LB 596 was originally introduced in 2025 by Sen. Rita Sanders. As drafted, the bill would have allowed news websites to publish public notices but lacked a clear definition of what constituted a news website. Without that definition, virtually any website — including blogs — could have qualified.
NPA staff and lobbyists worked with Sanders’ office to have the bill held over to the 2026 session, allowing time to collaborate with stakeholders and develop more clearly defined language.
Following months of collaboration among stakeholders — including representatives from municipal and county government, school boards, and digital media — LB 596 emerged as a comprehensive approach to modernizing public notices while maintaining accountability and transparency.
The updated law reinforces a hybrid public notice system, preserving print publication requirements while formally integrating digital formats to expand access and operational flexibility.
Three-Tier Publication Framework
The legislation establishes three pathways for qualifying publications:
Traditional print with E-Edition bonus: Newspapers may continue operating as they do today, with notices appearing in print and digital formats. Notably, notices published in the e-edition may now count as the first instance of publication.
Legacy newspaper transition to e-Edition primary: Qualified newspapers may cease print publication and transition to an e-edition as their primary format while retaining their legal status.
Digital Newspaper (Limited Use): Digital-only publications may qualify only in areas where no legal newspaper exists in the county or of general circulation. To qualify, these publications must meet the same standards as newspapers, including subscriber thresholds and maintaining a local staff.
The law also clarifies and modernizes several operational standards:
Publication frequency: Newspapers must publish for 52 consecutive weeks to initially qualify and at least 50 times per year thereafter. This allows for limited missed publications without losing legal status.
Subscriber thresholds: Newspapers must maintain 300 paid subscribers in metro markets and 200 in all other markets, reflecting population trends across the state.
Regardless of format, all public notices must continue to be submitted to www.nepublicnotices.com, the statewide platform providing centralized, searchable access to notices. The platform predates the legislation and remains a critical component of Nebraska’s public notice infrastructure.
Separate legislation expands Unclaimed Property notices
In addition to LB 596, separate legislation addressing unclaimed property notices introduces an expansion in distribution.
LB 183, introduced in 2025 by Sen. Barry DeKay, proposed several changes to unclaimed property notification requirements. NPA supported an amended version of the bill that allowed for greater flexibility in publication timing and committed to working with stakeholders on notification standards.
Working closely with the State Treasurer’s Office and its own committees, NPA helped develop updated language. During the 2026 session, LB 183 advanced unanimously in committee and was ultimately incorporated into LB 596.
Previously, unclaimed property notices were published in a tab distributed to approximately 16 newspapers across the state.
Under the new law, notices must now be published in each legal newspaper in the state, significantly expanding reach.
Notices may either include a list of names for individuals in that county or publish a display advertisement directing readers to where they can search for their names. The display format is not required to list names but must clearly guide citizens on how to access that information.
Michigan Press Association Pushes Back on House Plan Threatening Public and Legal Notice Transparency
The Michigan Press Association is mounting an aggressive pushback against a renewed threat from House leadership to weaken—or potentially eliminate—the role of newspapers in publishing legal and public notices, a move that advocates warn would erode government transparency across the state.
At issue is a proposal circulating among House leaders that would shift required notices away from traditional print and verified online newspaper platforms to a centralized government-run system. But the MPA and its member newspapers say the plan risks concentrating control of public information in the hands of the very entities those notices are meant to hold accountable.
“This isn’t just about newspapers,” MPA Executive Director James Tarrant said. “It’s about whether the public continues to have independent, verifiable access to critical information about their government.” “Allowing local governments to publish their own public notices is akin to allowing pitchers to call their own balls and strikes.”
In response, the MPA has mobilized a multi-pronged strategy aimed at lawmakers and the public alike. Notably, one member organization has retained a public relations firm to help shape messaging that underscores the broader consequences of the proposal. The goal is to reach legislators—particularly those facing re-election this year—with a clear warning: undermining transparency in a state already riddled with darkness is a problem.
The PR effort is expected to highlight how legal notices—ranging from zoning changes and foreclosures to public hearings—serve as a foundational layer of civic awareness. By placing them in independent newspapers and their affiliated statewide platforms, proponents argue, the information remains both widely accessible and insulated from political influence.
Central to the MPA’s argument is what it calls the “three-legged stool” of government transparency: public notices, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the Open Meetings Act (OMA). Together, these mechanisms ensure that citizens not only have the right to request information and attend public meetings, but also receive proactive notice when decisions are being considered.
“Take away or weaken one leg of that stool, and the entire structure becomes unstable,” MPA Public Policy Committee Co-Chair Brad Thompson of Detroit Legal News Publishing said. “Public notices are the proactive piece—without them, people often don’t even know when to file a FOIA request or attend a meeting governed by OMA.”
The association is emphasizing that newspapers provide a third-party check in this system. Unlike a government-controlled website, newspapers operate independently, creating a layer of accountability that transparency advocates say is essential.
MPA members have begun contacting their local representatives directly, urging them to reconsider what the association describes as an “ill-fated idea,” particularly in an election year when voter sensitivity to transparency issues may be heightened. Early feedback from some legislative offices suggests the message is resonating, especially in districts where local newspapers remain a primary source of community information.
While the proposal has not yet been formally introduced as legislation, the MPA is treating the threat as imminent. The association plans to continue its outreach campaign in the coming weeks, combining grassroots advocacy with targeted communications aimed at lawmakers.
“Our message is simple,” Public Policy Manager Lisa McGraw said. “Transparency works best when it’s independent, accessible, and required by law. Weakening public notice requirements puts all of that at risk—and we believe lawmakers will think twice once they fully understand the consequences.”
From the Publisher: Dillion voters who value transparency should say ‘no’ to Ballot Question B
The question seeks to bypass state law, which requires municipalities to publish notices about their actions in the newspaper
Mar 30, 2026 Nicole Miller nmiller@summitdaily.com
Following a recall election that removed three council members from office and a tumultuous, yearslong redevelopment process, including a voter-led effort to overturn the approval of a lakeside development, nearly all the candidates running for office this spring touted transparency in campaign materials provided to Summit Daily News.
In the submissions outlining their top priorities and answers to questions about Dillon-specific issues, five of the seven candidates used some form of the word transparency 36 times.
Given that dedication to open and clear communication with residents, I’m curious why the current council voted to include a question on the ballot that would actually reduce transparency.
Ballot Question B reads, “Shall the Dillon Home Rule Charter be amended to designate the town’s website as the official location for all postings and publications required by the charter and Dillon Municipal Code?” If passed, it would bypass state law, which requires that municipalities and quasi-governmental entities, such as metro districts, publish notices about their actions, including upcoming meetings, in the local newspaper.
These notices inform residents about zoning changes, property tax increases, special district elections, annexations, construction bids, water rulings, foreclosure proceedings and other actions that directly affect property, neighborhoods and taxes.
If Question B passes, the town of Dillon would be permitted to publish these notices only on its website.
So why is that a problem?
“At the heart of public notice law is a simple principle: Governments must inform the public through independent platforms they do not control,” according to the Colorado Press Association. “Allowing a government entity to declare its own website legally sufficient turns that safeguard upside down. It puts the fox in charge of the henhouse.”
Last year, more than 100 individuals and entities placed nearly 1,500 legally required public notices in Summit County. If each entity is permitted to post on its own site, you can imagine how much time and effort it would take an individual to chase all those notices around the internet each week to stay informed about all kinds of things, including how local taxpayer dollars are being spent.
Newspapers provide a one-stop shop for residents to easily access this information. If you’re not sure where to find it, check out the Friday edition of Summit Daily News or head to SummitDaily.com where our site will redirect you to a searchable archive of Summit County notices. The notices placed in Summit County are also added to a statewide database at Colorado.column.us/search where readers can search by county.
If transparency truly is important to Dillon Town Council members and candidates, then continuing to publish information about the town’s actions — as well as the actions of its newly created metro district — should be an easy commitment to make.
Nicole Miller is a resident of the town of Dillon. She is the publisher and former editor of the Summit Daily News. You can reach her at nmiller@summitdaily.com or 970-668-4618.
https://www.summitdaily.com/news/from-the-publisher-dillion-voters-who-value-transparency-should-say-no-to-ballot-question-b/
Public notices must remain in newspapers
Government cannot be in charge of holding itself responsible
Mar 23, 2026
There are some in the Iowa Legislature who periodically toy with the possibility of eliminating the requirement that local governments print public notices in newspapers.
This is the wrong move today, tomorrow and for the future. Government transparency is more important than ever. In truth it is critical.
While The Messenger, The Daily Freeman-Journal and other Iowa newspapers have an economic interest in seeing that the public notice publishing requirement remains, the issue goes far beyond a few dollars. Maintaining the legal requirement to publish government actions and meetings in local newspapers is crucial for ensuring accountability and keeping the public informed of important information that affects people’s lives. And it is the job of our local newspapers to serve as a check on government, not the government to check itself.
Any proposed savings would come at a very high cost to Iowa’s communities.
While many people now browse digital platforms for information — including freemanjournal.net — not everyone has access to the internet or the technological know-how to navigate online platforms. And the staggering amount of information available online, representing every viewpoint, degree of accuracy, hidden agendas and motivations from every philosophy and side of the political spectrum, makes it more and more likely public notices posted online would be lost among the chaff. Worse, they may be vulnerable to manipulation or not easily accessible through search algorithms.
By publishing public notices in newspapers, government bodies can ensure that critical information is available to everyone in a format that has stood the test of time for accuracy and accessibility. It requires governments provide timely information for citizens to participate in their government. The notices are appearing in the communities in or very near where the decisions are made. Public notices cover a range of activities, bids and leads for public projects, minutes from government meetings, foreclosures, petitions, election information, water quality reports and other information that is important to citizens and vibrant communities.
The basis for public notices published in newspapers remains as important as ever:
Requiring an independent, third party to publish the notices in accordance with the law helps prevent government officials from hiding information they prefer the public not to see. The government cannot be in charge of holding itself responsible. A public notice must be published in a forum independent of the government. As an independent and neutral third party, a newspaper has an economic and civic interest in ensuring that the notice delivery requirements are followed.
- Publishing the notice in a newspaper ensures that the information is widely accessible to the public. Unlike social media or other online platforms, newspapers are trusted sources of information that are available to everyone, regardless of whether or not they have access to the internet or social media accounts. This helps to ensure that all members of the public have an equal opportunity to be informed and involved in government decision-making.
- A public notice must be archived in a secure and publicly available format. Newspapers have always fulfilled this requirement because a public notice published in a newspaper is already archivable and accessible. This is particularly important for notices that contain information about government decisions and actions that impact individuals and communities for years to come. Requiring governmental bodies to publish legal notices in newspapers ensures that this information is always accessible.
- The public must be able to verify that a legal notice is not altered after being published. In a newspaper notice, an affidavit is provided by the publisher, which can be used in an evidentiary proceeding to demonstrate that a true copy was published as well as the exact wording that was used. Legal notices published in newspapers are subject to public scrutiny and can be easily monitored by journalists or concerned citizens. This guarantees that governmental bodies are held accountable and acting in the best interests of their constituents.
- Community newspapers have established relationships with readers and have a deep understanding of the issues and concerns that matter most to them. When public notices appear in newspapers, government bodies can tap into these relationships.
- Newspapers have a long history of serving as watchdogs for their communities, holding local officials accountable and shining light on issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. By requiring government bodies to publish public notices in newspapers, we are ensuring that these important watchdog functions are preserved and that the public has access to information that might otherwise be hidden from view.
- Many newspapers also publish the public notices on their websites and nearly all public notices across the state are also uploaded to a centralized website at iowanotices.org, a site run by newspapers at no additional cost to the government or taxpayers. It is available for those who prefer accessing an electronic version.
There may be parts of the country where newspaper readership is receding, but not in Iowa. Iowa has 241 community newspapers with one or more newspapers in every county. Market research conducted in 2022 showed 84 percent of Iowa adults read local print or digital newspapers. And newspaper readers are more engaged in their community. Newspapers reach 93 percent of Iowans who report, “I feel that I have a responsibility to help share the future of my community.”
It is true that newspapers charge a nominal fee, set by Iowa law, for publishing legal notices. This is a very small price for freedom, as it is typically under 1 percent of any government body’s spending. All Iowans should demand more scrutiny of government affairs, never less.
We believe that requiring governmental bodies to continue publishing legal notices in local newspapers is crucial for ensuring transparency, accountability, and accessibility in government decision-making. Newspapers, especially Iowa newspapers, remain a trusted source of information that is widely accessible and easily searchable.
https://www.freemanjournal.net/opinion/editorials/2026/03/public-notices-must-remain-in-newspapers/
Enviros: Cancel auction of state land for Copper World mine because of ‘factual errors’ in notices
Tucson groups challenge planned 160-acre sale of Arizona State Trust Land to hold mine tailings pile
Apr 17, 2026 Paul Ingram TucsonSentinel.com
The auction of 160 acres of state-owned land slated to hold tailings for the Copper World mine should be canceled because the required legal notices published online and in newspapers contains a “half-dozen factual errors,” said the environmental group Save the Scenic Santa Ritas.
“The Arizona State Land Department has failed to provide legal notice of the pending auction,” said John Dougherty, the executive director for SSSR. “The state must cancel the auction.”
Owned by the Toronto-based Hudbay Inc., Copper World has faced a barrage of criticisms and legal challenges from green groups, who have argued the open-pit mine would seriously affect the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson, and the Santa Cruz River.
Proponents have said the mine’s $1.7 billion investment will generate nearly $250 million in property taxes, and create more than 400 direct jobs and up to 3,000 indirect jobs in Arizona.
Hudbay is seeking to purchase the 160 acres during an auction of state trust land in Tucson scheduled for April 29.
SSSR said Friday that the notices contain an incorrect land sale number, an incorrect file number for tracking land sales, “conflicting times” for the auction, and a map shows the land in Maricopa County rather than Pima County. The map from state officials showed a chunk of land near Interstate 17 and West Carefree Highway for sale, but the 160-acre parcel is about 150 miles southeast of that spot, and 30 miles south of Tucson.
While the auction is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., according to state officials, the ad published in the Green Valley News shows the auction beginning at 11 a.m., and state officials transposed the number for the parcel’s file number, according to SSSR.
“The Land Department failed to meet the legal requirement to provide ‘full information’ on the land to be sold by providing an invalid number that provides the public with no information about the property,” Dougherty said Friday.
The environmental organization has long fought against copper mining in the area, and has urged Gov. Katie Hobbs to block the sale.
In March, SSSR filed formal protest, arguing the sale is a violation of the Arizona State Land Department’s obligations. In their complaint, SSSR challenged the state-approved $993,000 valuation of the land, arguing the state failed to evaluate the impact of the sale on nearby trust land that would be caused by Hudbay’s “anticipated groundwater depletion,” as well as what they called a failure to create a five-year disposition plan for the property.
Hudbay intends to use the land to “dump mining waste, which will allow it to process additional copper ore worth hundreds of millions of dollars,” however, the state appraised the land using rural residential and vacant land, rather than analyzing the value for industrial purposes, SSSR said.
The land is a square parcel, surrounded by Copper World’s privately owned land to the north and west, and U.S. Forest Service land to the east. Nearby is the long-protected Santa Rita Experimental Range.
Hudbay once faced fierce opposition over a planned half-mile-deep open pit across nearly 2,500 acres in Coronado National Forest, however, with that project jammed up over legal challenges, the company shifted its efforts to the western slopes of the Santa Rita Mountains on a chunk of private land once known as the Helvetia Mining District. In 2022, Hudbay began carving roads, drill pads and clearing ground for tailings piles on the property. This included filling ephemeral stream beds and disturbing habitat in anticipation of final approvals for the Copper World complex.
“The key errors in notification shows ASLD is rushing to auction this land,” Dougherty added. “Without legal and proper noticing, the public is not able to engage with a state land sale that would allow Hudbay to reap a windfall while shortchanging Arizona’s public schools. It’s time to cancel the auction.”
NEW YORK
S07053 Authorizes counties to post local laws and notices via the internet where such county doesn’t have a newspaper published within the county.
This bill amends the county law to provide an alternative method for publishing official notices and local laws in counties without a local newspaper. Specifically, the bill creates an exemption to the existing requirement that counties publish legal notices in a designated newspaper. Under this new provision, if a county does not have a newspaper published within its boundaries, it may instead publish local laws and official notices through an official county website or another state-run digital platform. This change addresses the challenges faced by rural or sparsely populated counties that may lack a local newspaper, ensuring that residents can still access important government information by providing a digital alternative for public notices. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, offering counties without local newspapers a flexible and accessible method to communicate official information to their residents.
PASSED SENATE
Then died in assembly, returned to senate
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
MASSACHUSETTS
S1279 Relative to legal advertisements in online-only newspapers
This bill modifies existing Massachusetts law to expand the ways legal notices can be published, providing more flexible options for government agencies, municipalities, and other legal entities. Specifically, the bill allows legal notices to be published not just in traditional print newspapers, but also on newspaper websites, online-only newspaper publications, statewide websites, and city or town-wide websites. The bill also introduces provisions that protect entities from being considered in violation of legal notice requirements if there are minor technical errors or temporary website outages, as long as the notice is ultimately correctly published and meets all other legal notice requirements. Additionally, the bill gives cities and towns the option to publish public hearing notices either in a local newspaper (electronic or paper format) or on the official city or town website. These changes aim to modernize legal notice publication practices by recognizing the increasing prevalence of online information sources and providing more accessible and potentially cost-effective methods for disseminating official public information.
Referred to the Joint Committee on The Judiciary
DELAWARE
HB321 An Act To Amend Title 29 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Procedure For Dissemination To The Public Of A Proposed Amendment To The Delaware Constitution.
This bill amends Delaware law to change how proposed amendments to the Delaware Constitution are shared with the public. Instead of requiring publication in newspapers of general circulation in each county, the bill now mandates that proposed amendments be posted prominently on the websites of the Department of Elections and the General Assembly for at least 90 days before the next general election. The term “dissemination” replaces “notice” to reflect this shift in how information is shared. The bill also clarifies that a “proposed amendment” refers to the full text of the legislation. The individuals responsible for ensuring this dissemination, such as the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, must notify various state officials, including the Governor and members of the General Assembly, about the posting. This change aims to modernize the process of informing citizens about potential changes to the state’s foundational law.
CALIFORNIA
AB2323 Publication: newspapers of general circulation.
This bill, by adding Section 6009 to the Government Code, mandates that any public notice legally required to be published in a “newspaper of general circulation” must now appear in both the newspaper’s traditional print edition and on its internet website or electronic newspaper. A “newspaper of general circulation” is a publication that meets specific criteria, such as having a bona fide list of paying subscribers and being regularly published within a particular area, and is used for official public announcements. This change ensures that legally required notices are accessible through both print and online formats, broadening their reach to the public.
TENNESSEE
TN SB2450 Tennessee
SB2450 An ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 8, Chapter 44, relative to public notices.
This bill, effective July 1, 2026, allows local governments in Tennessee to satisfy public notice requirements by publishing certain notices online instead of solely in a newspaper of general circulation, starting July 1, 2027. To do this, a local government must first pass an ordinance or resolution specifying when electronic publication will begin, how the public can access these notices, and which types of notices will be posted electronically, and also adopt a policy for managing these electronic postings. These online notices must be free to access and available on commonly used platforms, ensuring easy and equitable access for everyone. The policy for electronic publication must guarantee the security and integrity of the system and the notices, establish clear timeframes for posting and retaining records, and standardize the format of the online notices. While local governments can use third-party websites for electronic notices, these third parties may charge a reasonable fee for their services, but any notice specifically required by law to be published in a newspaper must still be published in a newspaper.