This bill modernizes the publication of legal notices by mandating that public entities and certain private entities publish these notices on government websites and eligible online news publications starting March 1, 2026. It requires public entities to ensure that their official websites are accessible to the public free of charge and mandates the Secretary of State to create a centralized webpage with hyperlinks to these legal notices. The bill also sets criteria for online news publications to qualify for publishing legal notices, including traffic levels and accessibility, while ensuring that all notices are archived for at least one year.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to facilitate the transition from traditional print newspaper publication to online formats. It allows newspapers that relocate within the same or adjacent counties to continue publishing legal advertisements for two years if they maintain the highest paid circulation in the area. The legislation also provides a temporary extension for public entities to utilize newspapers for legal notices without the previous deadline, ensuring that publication rates remain consistent with existing law. Local government units are exempt from maintaining an archive until July 1, 2026, and the bill includes provisions to protect entities from liability for errors in published notices due to uncontrollable circumstances.