SF4994

Purpose

• The bill aims to authorize online publication of public notices when no qualified newspaper is available, updating how local government notices can be published and recognized under Minnesota law.

Main Provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 sections 331A.01, 331A.04, 331A.06, 331A.08, 331A.09 and related provisions, and adds new subdivisions (331A.03, 331A.04 subdivision 4, 331A.06 subdivision 1, 331A.08 subdivision 3, 331A.09). It also references changes in Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement (331A.10 subdivision 2) and repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 331A.12 subdivision 1.
• Adds authority to publish public notices online as an alternative when there is no qualified newspaper available to publish the notice.
• Reaffirms and clarifies the concept of “Public notice” to include notices required or authorized by law or by court order to be published by a qualified newspaper, and lists the types of notices covered (laws, ordinances, resolutions, financial information, proceedings, notices of elections, notices of referenda, public hearing notices, meetings, summons, orders, citations, notices of sale, and other notices that inform a person to act within a time frame).
• Establishes that the public notice definition is tied to publication in a qualified newspaper, while enabling online publication as an alternative when a qualified newspaper is not available (subject to the bill’s stated changes).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces explicit authorization for online publication of public notices in the absence of a qualified newspaper.
• Expands or adjusts the statutory framework for what counts as public notice and how it must be published, via new subdivisions and cross-references to updated sections.
• Updates the public notice provisions across multiple sections (331A.01, 331A.04, 331A.06, 331A.08, 331A.09) and aligns related references to Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement; includes repeal of a prior provision (331A.12 subdivision 1).
• Clarifies that the definition of public notice relies on notices being published in the traditional sense (qualified newspaper) while enabling an online alternative when necessary.

Terminology and Key Concepts (explicit terms from the bill)

• Public notice
• Qualified newspaper
• Online publication
• Notices of laws, ordinances, resolutions, financial information, and proceedings
• Notices of elections, certificates of election, referendums, public hearings
• Notices of meetings of governmental, private, and public bodies
• Summons, orders, citations, notices of sale
• When no qualified newspaper is available

What remains unchanged (context)

• The bill still uses the concept of public notice tied to publication by a qualified newspaper, with added provisions to permit online publication as an alternative under specified conditions.

Relevant Terms - Public notice - Qualified newspaper - Online publication - Minnesota Statutes 331A (and referenced sections: 331A.01, 331A.04, 331A.06, 331A.08, 331A.09, 331A.10, 331A.12) - Notices of elections - Notices of public hearings - Notices of meetings - Notices of sale - Summons and orders