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Bill > A5182
NJ A5182
NJ A5182Allows 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
06/01/2026
06/01/2026
In Committee
06/01/2026
06/01/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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 to satisfy their requirement to provide advance notice of meetings by publishing notices in newspapers that are also available online or on online news publications, and it expands the definition of "newspaper" to include these digital formats for all official notices and advertisements. It introduces new terms like "designated publication address" and "original, general news content" to define what qualifies as a legitimate news source for these publications. The bill also establishes specific criteria for online news publications to be considered qualified for publishing official advertising, including requirements for original news content, paid subscriptions, and maintaining a physical address. Furthermore, it sets new rates for charging for official advertising based on the number of paid subscribers, shifting from a per-line to a per-character basis for text-only notices and establishing per-square-inch rates for tabular or pre-built advertisements, with provisions for annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. Finally, it clarifies that municipalities, except for cities, must publish official advertisements in qualified newspapers or online news publications that regularly cover the municipality, with specific fallback options if no such publication meets the primary criteria.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 06/01/2026)
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/2026/A5182 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A5500/5182_I1.HTM |
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