NC H357

Allows Gaston County and its municipalities to publish required public notices electronically on a county-maintained website instead of or in addition to newspaper publication, with governing boards able to adopt ordinances covering all notices or specific categories.

Requires counties adopting electronic notice ordinances to publish access instructions in newspapers at least monthly for 12 months and maintain notices on websites for at least one year in a searchable format.

Permits counties to set reasonable fees to cover the costs of providing electronic notice and requires copies of notices to be filed in a separate, indexed notice book and mailed or emailed to persons who request notice.

Allows counties to accept sworn statements from county employees as prima facie evidence that notices were posted on the county website for the required time period, with such statements deemed court records when filed with the superior court clerk.

Applies exclusively to Gaston County and any municipalities wholly or partly located within that county, effective upon enactment.