What's happening
This bill allows local governments and school districts to publish legally required public notices online, in addition to newspapers.
Why it matters
Expands access to public notices. by allowing local governments and school districts to use online news publications in addition to traditional newspapers, potentially reaching residents who rely more on digital sources for information.
Modernizes communication requirements. by recognizing online news outlets that serve specific geographic areas and have a track record (at least one year of continuous publication), reflecting the shifting media landscape.
Gives local entities greater flexibility. in how they fulfill legal notice obligations, which could save costs and streamline processes, especially as print newspaper circulation declines.
May impact transparency and accessibility. While online notices can increase visibility for some, those without regular internet access might be disadvantaged, raising questions about equitable access to important public information.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
County, municipal and school district governing bodies
The bill would let them choose to publish legally required notices in qualifying online news publications in addition to required newspaper publication.
Online news publishers
They could carry these additional notices if they provide daily general-interest news to a defined geographic area and have published continuously for at least one year before the notice appears.
Newspaper publishers
The bill would preserve existing newspaper notice requirements while allowing local governments and school districts to add online publication.
Headline styles
Allow Online Public Notices
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
2 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
233
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GUNTHER, 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.
LBD01927-01-9
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.