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Bill

S 4064

Allows public bodies to provide required notices to newspapers distributed online and establishes related publication requirements; establishes rates that newspapers may charge for each notice posted online.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill allows governments to post required public notices on online newspapers instead of print, with newspapers setting their own posting fees.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4064

Legislative bill overview

S 4064 permits New Jersey public bodies (government agencies, municipalities, etc.) to fulfill their legal notice publication requirements by posting notices to online newspapers instead of exclusively through print editions. The bill establishes a fee structure that newspapers may charge for hosting these digital notices.

Why is this important

Government notices—including public hearings, budget meetings, and legal announcements—are required by law to reach the public. As readership shifts from print to digital, this bill modernizes how taxpayer-funded notices are distributed, potentially reducing printing costs while ensuring accessibility. However, it also creates new revenue opportunities for online news outlets and raises questions about public access equity.

Potential points of contention

  • Digital divide concerns: Not all residents have reliable internet access; print-dependent populations (elderly, low-income) may be excluded from critical government notices if print requirements are watered down
  • Fee structure transparency: The bill allows newspapers to set their own rates for posting notices, potentially creating unpredictable costs for municipalities and enabling price discrimination
  • Preservation of local journalism: Incentivizing digital-only publication may hasten the decline of print newspapers, affecting communities that depend on local news outlets for other reporting

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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