HB102 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Notice, legal, newspaper qualifications, Sec. 6-8-60 am'd.

Summary

The bill tightens rules for newspapers that publish legal notices and requires posting notices on statewide and newspaper websites, while clarifying designation rules and who pays if the wrong newspaper is used.

What This Bill Does

It allows the party requesting notice to designate which newspaper publishes the ad; if an official ignores the designation and uses a different paper, the official must pay the cost themselves and cannot seek reimbursement. It sets specific qualifications for newspapers that may publish legal notices (English language, general county circulation, principal editorial office in the county, annual mailing for at least 51 weeks, at least two years in operation, and not a trade or religious publication). It also requires that such newspapers upload legal notices to a statewide website at no extra charge, and that any newspaper with its own website also post the notices on that site. The act takes effect immediately after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Newspapers that publish legal notices in Alabama, which must meet the outlined qualifications and upload notices to the statewide website (and post to their own website if applicable).
• Public officials who place legal notices, who must follow the designation rule for which newspaper to use and may be financially responsible if they ignore the designated newspaper.

Key Provisions

• Designation rule: The party in interest may designate the newspaper for publication; if this designation is disregarded, the officer must pay the publication cost and cannot be reimbursed.
• Newspaper qualifications: To publish legal notices, a newspaper must be in English, have general county circulation, maintain its principal editorial office in the county, have been mailed at least 51 weeks per year, publish general interest content, have at least two years of publication, and not be a professional/trade/religious/fraternal publication.
• Publication requirements: Qualified newspapers must upload legal notices to a statewide website at no extra charge and also post notices on their own website if they publish one.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective immediately following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Legal Notice