The bill establishes a centralized electronic notice system to modernize the publication of public and legal notices, allowing governmental entities and individuals to publish these notices online instead of in traditional newspapers. The Secretary of State is responsible for creating and maintaining this system, which will be accessible on the official state website. Notices published on this electronic platform will fulfill existing publication requirements, and the Secretary of State will retain these notices for at least seven years. The bill also allows for a fee of up to $10 for publishing notices and mandates the Secretary of State to create operational rules for the system. Starting January 1, 2030, all public and legal notices currently required to be published in newspapers must be published on this electronic system, thereby reducing reliance on print media.
Additionally, the bill amends various sections of existing law to incorporate the use of the electronic notice system, ensuring it is recognized as a valid publication method across multiple legal contexts. Key changes include the requirement for notices related to public meetings, elections, and other governmental actions to be published on the electronic system for specified durations. The bill also clarifies procedures for soliciting nominations, voting rights, and the publication of notices related to financial institutions, enhancing transparency and public access to information. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the notification process, improve public engagement, and modernize communication methods in governmental operations.