SB73 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Bill Holtzclaw
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Legal notices, electronic publication of legal notices on Internet websites, authorized, statewide website, Secs. 6-8-60, 6-8-62, 6-8-64, 6-8-65 am'd. (2012-20232)
Summary: SB73 allows electronic publication of legal notices and requires newspapers to post notices online and on a statewide website, while setting fair, non-extra charges and preventing improper fee arrangements.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes electronic publication of legal notices and requires newspapers with websites to publish notices online in addition to print, and to post them on a statewide Internet site. The online postings start on the first day of insertion and remain valid for the required time, even if the newspaper fails to upload them. It also sets pricing rules so the charge for notices cannot exceed the lowest classified rate for similar ads and must include print and online publication; it bans extra charges for electronic publication and requires affidavits to prevent improper agreements between officers and newspapers.

Who It Affects
Newspapers that publish legal notices — must publish online, upload to a statewide site, post on their own website if applicable, and follow rate caps and affidavit requirements; they cannot charge extra fees for electronic publication.
Government agencies, officers, and the general public who require or rely on public notices — will benefit from online and statewide publication, with costs capped and notices remaining legally valid when published online.

Key Provisions
Electronic publication of legal notices is authorized, newspapers with websites must publish notices online and on a statewide Internet site, and notices remain valid for legal purposes.
Publication rates for public notices may not exceed the lowest classified rate for similar ads; notices must be posted on both the newspaper's website and the statewide site at no extra charge, and affidavits are required to prevent improper rate agreements.

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

Bill Actions

Delivered to Governor at 10:15 a.m. on April 12, 2012

Assigned Act No. 2012-214.

Enrolled

Signature Requested

Second House Concurs in Executive Amendment

Hill motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted Roll Call 649

Ward motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted Roll Call 499

Executive Amendment Offered

House of Origin Concurs in Executive Amendment

Forwarded to Governor

Signature Requested

Enrolled

Concurred in Second House Amendment

Ward motion to Concur In and Adopt adopted Roll Call 318

Concurrence Requested

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 238

Motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 237

State Government first Substitute Offered

Third Reading Passed

Read for the second time and placed on the calendar with 1 substitute and

Rereferred from Judiciary to State Government

Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary

Engrossed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 78

Motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 77

Ward Amendment Offered

Ward motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 76

Judiciary Amendment Offered

Third Reading Passed

Read for the second time and placed on the calendar 1 amendment

Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary

Bill Text

Download Enrolled PDF

Votes

Yes 23

Absent 12

Yes 23

Absent 12

Yes 23

Absent 12

Yes 100

Abstained 1

Absent 4

Yes 96

Abstained 1

Absent 8

Yes 28

Absent 7

Yes 97

Absent 8

Yes 27

Absent 8

Documents

Bill Text (Enrolled) SB73 Alabama 2012 Session - Enrolled

Bill Text (Engrossed) SB73 Alabama 2012 Session - Engrossed

Bill Text (Introduced) SB73 Alabama 2012 Session - Introduced

Source: Alabama Legislature