HB128 Summary

• Secretary of State shall create and operate a public notice website where legal notices may be published with legal effect, beginning October 1, 2021.

• Website must be maintained free of charge 24/7 with searchable archives by keyword, file number, area, and county; local legislation notices must also be searchable by sponsor and subject matter.

• Secretary of State may charge publishers a reasonable fee not exceeding $50 reflecting actual publication costs, with no fees charged to the public for accessing or searching notices.

• County commissions and municipal governing bodies may vote to opt out of using the website if they determine it would not provide adequate notice to their intended audiences.

• Newspapers publishing notices must place them on their own websites and forward them to the Secretary of State at no additional charge; the publication fee covers print, newspaper website, and statewide website publication.