Bipartisan bill would shift public notices to municipal websites by 2026

TRENTON, N.J. — Let’s face it, nobody reads the local newspapers anymore and state law is about to adjust that shift in how society consumes information and news.

A bipartisan bill moving through the New Jersey Legislature aims to modernize how legal notices are published, allowing public entities to post required announcements directly on their official websites instead of relying solely on newspapers.

Beginning March 1, 2026, the bill would make it mandatory for all public entities to publish legal notices on their websites, though the option is available immediately for those wishing to implement it early. Each entity’s website must provide free public access, with a conspicuous hyperlink to its legal notices page on the homepage.

The legislation defines “public entity” broadly, encompassing local and state government units, school districts, authorities, and other public bodies. The change is designed to increase accessibility, reduce publishing costs, and streamline the legal notification process across government levels.

The Secretary of State would be responsible for creating a centralized webpage featuring hyperlinks to the legal notices sections of each public entity. This statewide portal would also be publicly accessible and free of charge, with its own prominently placed homepage link.

Archiving, online news options included in new framework

Under the bill, legal notices must remain on a public entity’s website for at least one week or longer if required by law. They must then be moved to an online archive, to be maintained for at least one year. However, local governments are not obligated to maintain such an archive until July 1, 2026.

Public entities may also publish notices on eligible online news publications, and the bill defines specific eligibility criteria such as frequency of publication and availability to a general audience. These provisions extend to corporations, individuals, or other entities that are not government bodies but are required by law or court order to publish legal notices.

From January 1, 2026 through March 1, 2026, public entities must publish a notice twice per month in eligible online news publications informing the public where to find complete legal notice texts online. This includes the web address of the Secretary of State’s centralized portal.

The bill also addresses the current legal use of newspapers for publishing public notices. It amends existing law to allow public bodies to continue using qualified newspapers—whether print or electronic—through March 1, 2026.

The legislation takes effect immediately, giving public entities time to prepare for full implementation by the March 2026 deadline.

New Jersey’s proposed public notice overhaul would bring legal transparency into the digital era by requiring all notices to be posted online by 2026.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.