TRENTON — Local governments, state agencies, public universities and individuals would no longer have to post legal notices in newspapers under a bill that cleared an Assembly panel this afternoon. The bill (A2802) was approved by the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee by a vote of 4-1. It would allow towns to instead post the notices online. According...
An Assembly committee is holding a hearing today to consider a bill that would allow legal advertising be posted online instead of in newspapers. TRENTON — Local governments, state agencies, public universities and individuals would no longer have to post legal notices in newspapers under a bill that cleared an Assembly panel this afternoon.
The bill (A2802) was approved by the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee by a vote of 4-1. It would allow towns to instead post the notices online.
According to the New Jersey Press Association, taxpayers spend $8 million a year on the legally required advertisements.
One of the bill's prime sponsors, Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Union), said before the hearing he understands the revenue loss will hurt an already struggling newspaper industry.
"It's a different world. We can't save newspapers by subsidizing newspapers," he said.
A July analysis by the Office of Legislative Services said the bill would likely reduce costs for government agencies that have to publish notices, but could not determine a specific amount saved. The analysis said there could be added costs if the agencies have to hire more workers or upgrade their computer systems to meet the requirement.
Witnesses from the newspaper industry questioned whether the bill would really save money.
“When you look at your own legislative fiscal estimate on this bill, provided by the people who work for you, they say there’s an indeterminate fiscal impact. They don’t know the savings and they don’t know the cost. So how does anyone know this is going to save the government money?” said Star-Ledger publisher Richard Vezza.
"The governor wants this bill because he's angry at the newspapers. And the people in South Jersey, the Democratic faction, want this bill," Vezza said.
To qualify, towns would have to show they have free internet access available. They would have to advertise the website in at least one local newspaper, along with a list of locations where residents could use the internet for free.
The bill cites the decline in newspaper readership and an increase in homes with internet access.
The Senate Budget Committee advanced a parallel version of the bill in July. To become law, it will have to be approved by the full Senate and Assembly and be signed by the governor.