Bill > HB2166

This bill amends Oklahoma's legal newspaper publication requirements by establishing two types of legal newspapers: Periodical Permit Newspapers and Nonperiodical Permit Newspapers. For both types, newspapers must maintain a paid circulation, publish continuously for 104 consecutive weeks, and meet specific criteria to qualify for publishing legal notices. Nonperiodical Permit Newspapers must have at least 200 paid print subscriptions, maintain 25% news content, have a local publication office, conduct independent circulation audits, and publish an annual ownership statement. Additional requirements include registering with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, publishing notices on their website and a statewide newspaper website, and maintaining independence from government entities. The bill also provides provisions for counties without a legal newspaper, allows for brief publication interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances (extending the interruption period from 14 to 21 days), and permits newspapers to miss up to two weeks of publication in a year without losing their legal newspaper status. The changes aim to ensure transparency, continued publication, and public access to legal notices, with the new regulations taking effect on November 1, 2025.

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http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2166&Session=2600