Bill

H 2323

An Act relative to local journalism

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Simon Cataldo and 3 co-sponsors

Allows local govs to publish legally required notices on community news websites meeting criteria (15% of households via newsletters) in addition to print and statewide sites.

Read second and ordered to a third reading

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · H 2323

Summary: H.2323 – An Act relative to local journalism

Overview

H.2323, introduced February 27, 2025 and currently “read second and ordered to a third reading,” seeks to broaden how municipalities publish legally required notices. The bill expands permissible channels for legal notices beyond traditional print newspapers to include certain digital platforms, with specific criteria for community-focused online news.

Purpose and intent

Modernize and potentially widen access to legally required public notices at the local level.
Support local journalism by recognizing community news websites that engage residents through digital means.
Maintain existing municipal publishing obligations while offering alternative publication methods.

Key provisions

1) Definition update
- Amends the definition of “community news website” in General Laws, Chapter 4, Section 13(b) to include a site that operates a newsletter subscription serving at least 15% of the municipality’s households.

2) Methods for publishing legal notices
- Municipalities, including public schools and related offices, may meet legal notice requirements through:
- (i) a print newspaper of local/general circulation;
- (ii) the website of a print newspaper of local/general circulation;
- (iii) a community news website that meets digital publication criteria in subsection (c)(i)-(iii) of Section 13;
- (iv) a statewide website acting as a repository for notices.

3) Municipal website unchanged
- Clarifies that the bill does not alter the requirement to publish notices on a municipality’s own website.

4) Timing unchanged
- Clarifies that the timing and deadlines for publication remain as currently defined in law.

5) Effective date
- The act takes effect upon passage.

Affected entities

Municipalities and their public schools, and related boards/committees/agencies that publish legal notices.
Print newspapers and their online platforms, including their websites.
Community news websites that meet the bill’s criteria.
Statewide digital repositories used for notices.

Procedural timeline

Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (Feb 27, 2025).
Senate concurrence noted (Feb 27, 2025).
Bill reported favorably and referred to House Steering (July 10, 2025).
Rules suspended; bill read Second and ordered to a Third Reading (July 17, 2025).
Hearing scheduled (June 10, 2025).

Potential impact

Increases options for publishing legal notices, potentially reducing costs for municipalities.
Elevates the role of community news websites and digital dissemination in local governance.
Requires municipalities to assess readership reach (e.g., 15% newsletter coverage) when considering digital channels.
Maintains transparency by preserving existing municipal website publication requirements and timing.