SB 61: Publication Counties Without Legal Newspapers

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Current law requires a legal notice or advertisement (notice) to be published in a newspaper within the county in which the notice is required to be published that satisfies certain requirements, including a publication period requirement and a periodicals license with paid distribution (legal newspaper). If a legal newspaper does not exist in a county, the notice may be published using certain alternatives.     The act clarifies the order of priority of the type of newspaper in which the notice should be published. First, the notice should be published in a newspaper in the county that satisfies the requirements for publication and that has been published for at least one year. Second, the notice should be published in a newspaper in the county that would otherwise satisfy the requirements for publication but for the fact that it lacks a periodicals license, and that has been published for at least one year. Third, the notice should be published in a newspaper in the county even if it does not have a periodicals license or has not been published for at least one year. If there is no newspaper in the county or an adjoining county, notice may be published in a newspaper that satisfies the requirements for a legal newspaper chosen with primary consideration for geographic proximity.     Additionally, the act gives municipalities and special districts with territory in two counties permission to publish notice in a newspaper in either county, so long as the newspaper meets the legal requirements for publication.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7 · Republican 5

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 20, 2026Governor Signed
2. April 8, 2026Sent to the Governor
3. April 7, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
4. April 7, 2026Signed by the Speaker of the House
5. April 2, 2026House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
6. April 1, 2026House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
7. March 31, 2026House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
8. March 27, 2026House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
9. March 24, 2026House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
10. March 3, 2026Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
11. March 3, 2026Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government
12. March 2, 2026Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee

Showing 12 most recent of 14 actions. Full history