Senate Committee Hears Bill To Modify Government Newspaper Publication Requirements

The legislation would allow online publication of public notices when a qualified newspaper closes.

On April 3, the Senate State and Local Government Committee heard SF 2631, sponsored by Sen. Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake), which would modify the requirements for publishing notices in qualified newspapers. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

The prior week, on March 24, the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee heard the House companion bill, HF 2231, sponsored by Rep. Bobbie Harder (R-Henderson). The bill received bipartisan support, was approved by the committee on a voice vote, and sent to the General Register for possible discussion and a vote by the full House.

Background

Since 2018, more than 12% of local newspapers in Minnesota have shut down, averaging a rate of more than 11 closures per year. Many cities have been impacted by these closures, as publishing notices in alternative newspapers to satisfy the law is often costlier and reaches fewer city residents.

HF 2231 aims to address these challenges by allowing cities to publish legal notices on their websites and on the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s (MNA) website for free until another qualified newspaper is designated. This flexibility ensures transparency while giving cities time to find alternate qualified newspapers.

Testimony on the bill

The Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), MNA, and League of Minnesota Cities worked closely with Rep. Harder on the bill’s language. Supporters, including the League, along with the AMC, Prior Lake City Administrator Jason Wedel, and the Minnesota Association of Townships, testified on behalf of local governments in favor of the bill. Other testifiers included the MNA, Minnesota School Board Association, and Herald Journal Publishing.

View a video of the testimony on HF 2231.

Your next step

The League encourages city leaders to contact their legislators and share their support for the legislation, along with how it could help their city to budget and plan for new projects.

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