The law mandates the creation of a centralized portal, to be maintained by the Secretary of State, that links to each entity’s notice page. The objective is to provide a comprehensive, easily searchable hub for all legal and public notices across the state.
“This legislation reflects the way people access information in today’s digital age,” said Governor Murphy. “We’re ensuring the public remains informed, while also reducing unnecessary expenses for taxpayers and local governments.”
To further ensure the public continues to see these notices, the law also includes a requirement for local entities to place digital advertisements twice per month in qualifying online news outlets, beginning January 1, 2026. These ads must link back to the relevant public notice websites.
However, not everyone is on board. The New Jersey Press Association (NJPA) and several newspaper publishers have voiced strong opposition, warning that the shift could erode government transparency and undermine local journalism. For decades, legal notices have served as both a public accountability tool and a revenue stream for newspapers. Critics argue the transition to online-only publication may limit access for residents who are not digitally connected, especially seniors and rural populations.
“Newspapers are still a vital source of local information, particularly for underserved communities,” said George White, president of the NJPA. “This law removes an independent layer of verification and risks burying important notices in obscure corners of government websites.”
Supporters counter that digital notices are more accessible to a broader audience, as they can be searched, stored, and retrieved more easily than printed pages. Additionally, municipalities and agencies are expected to save millions in annual publication fees by moving online.
New Jersey now joins a growing list of states — including Florida, Arizona, and Utah — that have adopted digital alternatives to traditional legal notice publishing. The shift reflects broader trends in media consumption and government digitization, even as the debate continues about how best to balance transparency, accessibility, and media sustainability.
