What's happening
This bill updates the legal definition of "newspaper" for public notice requirements, specifying frequency, duration, and content standards.
Why it matters
Establishes clearer standards for what qualifies as a "newspaper" eligible to publish legal notices. , ensuring that only established publications that regularly produce news content can fulfill public notice requirements—this could help prevent fly-by-night or advertising-only publications from being used.
Requires newspapers to have been continuously in business for at least one year. and to publish at least weekly for a minimum of 48 weeks per year, which sets a higher bar for stability and reliability, potentially increasing public confidence in the legal notice process.
Removes the explicit requirement for paid circulation. , which could open eligibility to free community newspapers that meet other standards, possibly broadening the pool of qualifying publications and reflecting changes in how communities access news.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Redefine Newspaper Requirements
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Held for consideration in judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4396
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. STEC, FINCH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the limited liability company law and the general construction law, in relation to the definition of "newspaper"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 102 of the limited liability company law is amended by adding a new subdivision (ii) to read as follows:
(ii) "Newspaper" means any newspaper of general circulation which is printed and distributed on a daily or weekly basis and has been in business for at least one year immediately preceding any publication advertisement, and which contains news, articles of opinion, features, advertising and any other matter regarded as current interest.
§ 2. Subdivision a of section 60 of the general construction law, as separately amended by chapters 724 and 725 of the laws of 1975, is amended to read as follows:
a. In any case in which notice of any fact is required by law to be published or advertised in a newspaper, the term "newspaper" shall mean a paper of general circulation which is printed and distributed ordinarily not less frequently than once a week, for a minimum forty-eight week per year basis and has been so for at least one year immediately preceding such publication or advertisement, and which contains news, articles of opinion (as editorials), features, advertising, or other matter regarded as of current interest, [has a paid circulation] and (except for such a paper which has been printed and distributed not less frequently than once a week for a period of ten years prior to January one, nineteen hundred seventy-five) has been entered at United States post-office as second-class matter. A publication which is distributed or made available primarily for advertising purposes to the public generally without consideration being paid therefor shall not be deemed to be a "newspaper" for the purpose of publication or advertisement of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08757-01-9
A. 4396 2
such notice required by law. Notwithstanding any provision of this subdivision to the contrary, a publication which was designated and publishing notice as an official newspaper prior to the year nineteen hundred forty and continued to be so designated and publishing for at least thirty years after such year shall be deemed to be a newspaper within the meaning of this subdivision.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.