SB417 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Roger Bedford, Jr.

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Legal notices, electronic publication through state-sanctioned website, required for legal notices published by state and permitted for legal notices published by certain counties or municipalities (with population over 50,000), fee, public access

Summary

SB417 would replace newspaper publication for certain legal notices with a state-sanctioned online public notice website, usable by the state and by large counties or municipalities.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the state would publish required legal notices on a public notice website instead of newspapers. Counties or municipalities with 50,000+ people could publish notices on the site as an alternative to newspaper publication. The site would be publicly accessible 24/7 at no cost to the state, with current and archived notices searchable and free to search; posting could cost up to $10, and certified proof of posting could have an additional fee. The website provider would report to the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts and maintain the site and archives, with the state not funding the operation.

Who It Affects

• State and local governments (statewide and large counties/municipalities) would publish notices on the public notice website and may replace newspaper publication for those notices.
• Public and citizens would have free, 24/7 online access to notices and can search current and archived notices by keyword, file number, or area.

Key Provisions

• The state must publish legal notices on a public notice website.
• Counties or municipalities with a population of 50,000 or more may publish notices on the public notice website; smaller ones are not covered by this act.
• Posting the notice on the website may cost up to ten dollars ($10); a further increase can be requested after two years of operation.
• The website provider may charge for certified proof that a notice was posted online.
• The public notice website must operate at no cost to the state, be accessible 24/7, and allow free searching of current and archived notices (by keyword, file number, or area).
• The website provider must submit status reports twice a year to the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts and may undergo a quality review; notices must be posted with meaningfully similar information and for the duration requested; an archive and bond requirements exist.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Notice, Legal