What's happening
This bill allows counties, municipalities, and school districts to publish required public notices online in addition to newspapers.
Why it matters
Expands access to public information. By allowing notices to appear online as well as in print, residents who rely on digital media can more easily stay informed about local government actions, school district changes, and important community updates.
Supports modern communication habits. Many people now get their news online; this amendment recognizes changing media consumption and helps ensure that legal notices reach a broader, more tech-savvy audience.
Encourages transparency and accountability. When notices are more widely accessible—both in newspapers and online—there’s a greater chance the public will see, scrutinize, and respond to important governmental decisions and announcements.
Creates new opportunities for local online news outlets. By specifying criteria for eligible online publications, the bill could help sustain and legitimize reputable local digital news sources, potentially boosting their visibility and financial stability.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Online Public Notices
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
116
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GRAF, GUNTHER, HOOPER, MAGNARELLI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the general construction law, in relation to allowing for online publication of public notices
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 60 of the general construction law is amended by adding a new subdivision d to read as follows:
d. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in any case in which notice of any fact is required by law to be published or advertised in a newspaper, in addition to such requirement, a county, municipality or school district of the state is permitted, at the option of the governing body thereof, to publish the notice in an online news publication that (i) provides general interest news on a daily basis to a defined geographic location; and (ii) has been continuously published for at least one year prior to the date of publication of the notice.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01483-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.