HB576 Summary

• Secretary of State shall create and operate a public notice website where legal notices may be published with legal effect, effective October 1, 2020, as an alternative to newspaper publication.

• Public notice website must be free for public access and searching 24/7, with notices searchable by keyword, file number, area, and for local legislation by sponsor and subject matter; Secretary of State may charge reasonable fees only to those submitting notices for publication.

• Counties and municipalities may vote to opt out of the website if they determine it would not provide adequate notice to their intended audience, with written notice to Secretary of State required within ten days of such vote.

• Newspapers publishing required notices must also post them on the statewide website at no additional cost to government or interested parties, and forward notices to Secretary of State; charges shall include print, newspaper website, and statewide website publication.

• Prior to September 1, 2020, each county and municipality must publish notice informing the public of the change to internet publication of legal notices, running at least once weekly for four consecutive weeks.