NC S390

Local governments and school administrative units must annually contract for publication of legal notices through an informal bidding process designed to maximize competition among eligible newspapers

Contracts must be awarded to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder based on quality, performance, circulation reach, cost, and legal compliance

Government entities must maintain records of all informal bids submitted, but these records remain confidential until the contract is awarded

Payment for legal advertising shifts from rates capped at local commercial rates to rates established through the new competitive bidding contracts

Effective July 1, 2026, applying to notices published on or after that date