STATE OF MICHIGAN
103RD LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2026
SENATE / HOUSE BILL NO. _____
A bill to amend 1963 PA 247, entitled “An act to define the term ‘newspaper’ as used in the statutes of this state regarding publication of notices,” by amending section 1 (MCL 691.1051), and to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled “Revised judicature act of 1961,” (MCL 600.1461).
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Section 1. Definitions; Qualification of Online News Outlets and Newspapers for Legal Notice Publication.
(1) As used in any statute of this state requiring the publication of a legal notice, public notice, order, citation, summons, or advertisement, the term “qualified newspaper” or “qualified publication” includes:
(a) A traditional print newspaper meeting the requirements established under state law; or
(b) An online-only local news outlet, provided it meets the operational criteria set forth in subsection (2).
(2) To be certified as a qualified online-only news outlet authorized to publish legal notices under this act, an entity must satisfy all of the following requirements:
(a) Jurisdiction & Community Coverage: The outlet must maintain a dedicated staff covering local news, public affairs, and events within the municipality, school district, or county in which the legal notice is required to be published.
(b) Continuous Publication: The outlet must operate under an active, registered domain name, publish original news content updated at least once per week, and have maintained continuous publication for at least 104 consecutive weeks immediately preceding the date of the notice.
(c) Public Access: All legal and public notices published on the outlet’s website must be accessible to the general public free of charge, without requiring a paid subscription, paywall, or user account registration.
(d) Dedicated Notice Section: The website must feature a clearly visible, permanent navigation link on its homepage directing users to a dedicated public notices section.
(e) Statewide Central Repository: The outlet must contemporaneously cross-post and upload all legal notices to the searchable statewide public notice database maintained by the Michigan Press Association (mipublicnotices.com or its successor database).
(f) Archival Requirements: The outlet must maintain an electronic, permanent, and searchable digital archive of all published legal notices for a minimum of 7 years following the date of initial publication.
(3) Judicial Certification Process.
An online-only news outlet seeking to publish legal notices under this section must file an annual petition with the chief judge of the circuit court in the county where the outlet operates. Upon reviewing proof of compliance with subsection (2), the court shall issue an order certifying the outlet as an authorized publisher of record for that judicial circuit and its surrounding local government units.
(4) Affidavit of Publication.
An affidavit of publication executed by the publisher, editor, or authorized agent of a qualified online-only news outlet, accompanied by a digital or printed copy of the notice as posted on the website displaying the date of publication, shall serve as prima facie evidence of legal publication in all courts and administrative proceedings within this state.
Joseph Malik 540.406.9437