SB218 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Sections 6-8-60, 6-8-62, and 6-8-64 to require newspapers accepting legal notices to publish them on the Internet in addition to print publication.

• Newspapers maintaining their own websites must post legal notices on those websites, and all newspapers must upload notices to a statewide website maintained by an entity capable of receiving notices from a majority of Alabama newspapers.

• Internet publication of legal notices must be provided at no additional charge to the government or party requesting publication.

• Legal notices remain valid if posting failures are due to fault of the newspaper, Internet provider, or statewide website operator.

• Changes the mailing classification for newspapers publishing legal notices from second-class to publication-class mail and limits newspaper charges to current commercial classified rates.

• Effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.