Bill
Bill > S4484
NJ S4484
Allows public bodies to provide required notices to newspapers distributed online and establishes related publication requirements; establishes rates that newspapers and online news publications may charge for each notice posted online.
summary
Introduced
05/19/2025
05/19/2025
In Committee
05/19/2025
05/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, public bodies are required to provide notice to newspapers 48 hours prior to holding a meeting to conduct official business, under certain circumstances. This bill amends the definition of "adequate notice" for a public meeting to allow public bodies to satisfy their meeting notice requirements by publishing the notice in newspapers that are published in part or in whole electronically via the Internet and on online news publications. This bill also amends the definition of "newspaper" for the publication of all official notices and advertisements to allow the State or local bodies to publish in qualified or previously qualified newspapers that are now published electronically on the Internet and on online news publications. The bill also adds definitions for "designated publication address," "news," "original, general news content," and "paid online content." The bill, further, amends and expands the definition of "official advertising," and applies the definition to other related terms as specified in the bill. In cases where there is no qualified newspaper or online news publication, the State or local body (excluding a city) may publish each official advertisement that it is required to publish in at least one newspaper or online news publication that meets the requirements set forth in R.S.35:1-2.2, so long as the newspaper or online news publication maintains its designated publication address within the county in which the municipality is located for a period of not less than two consecutive years immediately preceding publication of its first official advertisement. The bill establishes rates for publishing official advertising for newspapers and online news publications based on the number of bona fide net paid subscribers.
AI Summary
This bill allows public bodies in New Jersey to provide required notices to newspapers distributed online and establishes new publication requirements for official advertisements. The legislation expands the definition of "newspaper" to include online news publications and creates detailed qualifications for these publications to be eligible to publish official notices. Key provisions include requiring online publications to maintain a designated publication address in New Jersey, have more than a nominal number of paid subscribers, publish at least 35% original local news content, and display a free public link to a centralized notices website (njpublicnotices.com). The bill also establishes new rate structures for publishing official advertisements, shifting from a per-line pricing model to a per-character pricing model that varies based on the number of bona fide net paid subscribers. Additionally, the legislation requires that all official advertising published on njpublicnotices.com be available to the public free of charge, and provides a mechanism for adjusting rates annually based on the Consumer Price Index. These changes aim to modernize how public notices are published and distributed, recognizing the increasing role of online media in local information dissemination.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 05/19/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4484 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4484_I1.HTM |
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