FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 31, 2026
Contact: [Press Secretary Name] | [Email Address] | [Phone Number]
New Bipartisan Legislation Modernizes Michigan Public Notice Laws, Expanding Access Through Certified Digital News Outlets
Bill updates century-old publication standards, cuts local government costs, and strengthens independent local journalism across Michigan.
LANSING, Mich. — Today, state lawmakers introduced legislation to modernize Michigan’s public notice requirements by permitting certified, online-only local news outlets to publish official legal advertisements, municipal notices, and court orders.
Under current law, statutory public notices must be printed in traditional physical newspapers. As print subscriptions decline and local “news deserts” expand, the proposed bill amends the Revised Judicature Act and Public Act 247 of 1963 to reflect how Michiganders consume information in the digital age.
”Michigan residents deserve access to transparent government information on the digital platforms they use every single day,” said [Sponsor Name, District]. “This legislation meets voters where they are, reduces municipal advertising expenditures for taxpayers, and provides vital economic support to independent, digital-first local newsrooms across our state.”
Key protections built into the legislation include:
- Strict Local Coverage Standards: To qualify, an online outlet must maintain active editorial staff reporting on local government and public affairs within the specific municipality or county requiring notice.
- Judicial Oversight: Digital outlets must petition their local circuit court annually to receive formal certification as an authorized publisher of record.
- Free Public Access: Public notices on qualified websites must remain completely free of paywalls, subscription requirements, or mandatory user accounts.
- Statewide Integration & Archiving: All notices must be cross-posted to the statewide public notice database (mipublicnotices.com) and archived in a searchable digital index for a minimum of seven years.
Importantly, the bill preserves independent third-party oversight by keeping public notice responsibilities with accredited press outlets rather than allowing government agencies to post notices solely on self-managed municipal websites.
”Public notices serve as a crucial safeguard for due process, property rights, and governmental transparency,” said [Co-Sponsor Name or Stakeholder Quote]. “By modernizing these statutes, we ensure these vital notices remain visible, searchable, and fully independent of political influence.”
Senate/House Bill _____ has been referred to the [Senate/House] Judiciary Committee for initial consideration.
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