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New JerseyS4654220th Legislature (2024-2025)SenateWALLET

Provides for publication of required legal notices on government Internet websites and through certain online news publications.

Sponsored By: Anthony M. Bucco (Republican), Michael Inganamort (Republican), Alexander Schnall (Democratic), Nicholas P. Scutari (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Online notices count despite listed disruptions

Since June 30, 2025, publication that follows this law satisfies a covered legal-notice duty. Notices on government websites or eligible online news publications are not defective because of listed publication problems. These include errors, temporary technical interruptions, standard access restrictions, cyberattacks, and cybersecurity incidents. The protection also covers other circumstances outside the responsible party's control.

Existing newspapers keep temporary notice eligibility

Newspapers used or allowed to publish qualifying notices during January–December 2024 remain eligible for those purposes through March 1, 2026. This protection runs from January 1, 2025 and covers print or electronic publication. Electronic notices must be free to view without registration, and publication charges remain capped at existing statutory rates. Continuity rules accommodate involuntary interruptions lasting up to six months because of equipment failure, paper shortages, or labor disputes. After March 1, 2026, notices must follow the new government-website or eligible online-publication pathways.

Private notices go online with price caps

After March 1, 2026, individuals, corporations, and other non-government entities must use eligible online news publications for required legal notices. This covers notice duties set by law, court order, or court rule. The publication must serve the geographic area required or implied by that notice duty. Since June 30, 2025, charges for covered online notices cannot exceed existing statutory rates under R.S.35:2-1. The supplied text does not list those dollar rates.

Government legal notices move online

After March 1, 2026, New Jersey public entities must post required legal notices free on official websites, with clear homepage links. Notices must stay displayed at least one week, or longer when legally required, and remain archived for at least one year. Local governments must have archives by July 1, 2026; these archives are exempt from state records retention and destruction schedules. By March 1, 2026, the Secretary of State must create a free statewide directory; entities must submit and update their links. Missing directory links are excused until that page exists. Since June 30, 2025, local governments can also use eligible online news sites, with prominent website notice and a link. Throughout January–December 2026, covered public entities must buy ads at least twice monthly in eligible online news publications, within statutory rate caps. Ads must explain where complete notices appear and link to the statewide directory once it exists.

Online notice publishers face new standards

Beginning March 1, 2026, eligible online news publications must offer free notice viewing without registration or a subscription. Notices must stay displayed at least one week, or longer when legally required, with publicly searchable archives for at least one year. Searches must support useful identifiers, such as keywords, party names, case numbers, or counties. Publications or their controlling or majority owners need three years of continuous operation. Average monthly unique-visit minimums are 4,000 for municipal notices, 50,000 for county notices, and 350,000 for statewide notices. At least 50% must come from the relevant municipality or county, including a 10-mile radius, or from New Jersey for statewide notices. Publishers must disclose monthly traffic and compliance, maintain security and backup plans, and carry media liability insurance of up to $1 million. Since June 30, 2025, covered notices must appear within 24 hours of receipt unless law or a court sets another deadline. False eligibility claims while accepting legal notices are unlawful practices under the Consumer Fraud Act, enforceable by the Attorney General.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Anthony M. Bucco

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael Inganamort

    Republican • House

  • Alexander Schnall

    Democratic • House

  • Nicholas P. Scutari

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Carol A. Murphy

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 109 • No: 2

House vote • 6/30/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 73 • No: 2 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 6/30/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.72.

    6/30/2025Governor

  2. Passed Assembly, PBH — (73-2-2)

    6/30/2025House

  3. Substituted for A5878

    6/30/2025House

  4. Received in Assembly, Without Reference, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    6/30/2025House

  5. Passed Senate — (36-0)

    6/30/2025Senate

  6. Reported, 2nd Reading in Senate

    6/26/2025Senate

  7. Introduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

    6/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Version PL2025

    8/11/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Version AL2025

    7/10/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    6/30/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • 6/27/25; as introduced

    6/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (6/26/25)

    6/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

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