What's happening
This bill allows required public notices to be published online in qualifying news publications instead of only in newspapers.
Why it matters
Expands public access. By allowing online news publications to carry required public notices, the bill could make these announcements easier to find and more accessible to people who increasingly consume news digitally rather than in print.
Modernizes legal requirements. This change updates long-standing legal traditions to reflect current media habits, potentially making government more transparent and responsive to how people get information today.
Sets standards for online publications. The bill ensures that only reputable and established online news sources (daily news, serving a specific area, and operating for at least one year) qualify, which helps maintain the integrity and reliability of official public notices.
Could impact local print newspapers. By reducing the legal monopoly newspapers have on public notice publishing, this shift may affect their revenue streams, possibly influencing the financial health and operations of traditional local newspapers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Public Notices Go Online
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 62
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Post Public Notices Online
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Stephen Hawley
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
375
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
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. The general construction law is amended by adding a new section 40-a to read as follows:
§ 40-a. Public notices and publications. 1. Subject to the provisions of subdivision two of this section and 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 such requirement shall be satisfied by publication of the notice in an online news publication that:
a. provides general interest news on a daily basis to a defined geographic location; and
b. has been continuously published for at least one year prior to the date of publication of the notice.
2. Any publication made pursuant to the terms of this section shall be subject to all requirements and stipulations of publication imposed by law or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction with regard to the notice with the exception of a requirement that the notice be published in a newspaper.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01352-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general construction law, in relation to allowing for online publication of public notices
Purpose or general idea of bill
Allows for online publication of public notices.
Summary of specific provisions
Subject to the provisions of subdivision two of this section and notwithstanding any provisions 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, such requirement, in addition such requirement shall be satisfied by publication of the notice in an online news publication.
Justification
Currently New York law requires the publication of public notices in either daily or weekly newspapers. The law appears to define newspapers as printed matter. Online Publication of public notices would allow for public notices to be searched through a web site's search function or through a public search engine. Moreover, it would lead to faster publication cycles, and a wider dissemination of notices. Lastly, it may lower the cost to individuals and government, by decreasing the needs for paper, printing, and revenue support for inefficient legacy business.
Prior legislative history
S.4433/A.6058; Referred to Judiciary S.1110/A.318; (2013-14); Referred to Judiciary S. 3028 of 2015/16 Referred to Judiciary
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.