NJ Lawmakers Mull Posting Legal Notices Online Instead Of In Newspapers

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey lawmakers are poised to vote on a bill that would give governing bodies, businesses and individuals the option to post legal notices online instead of publishing them in newspapers.

Proponents say the measure would save towns and taxpayers millions of dollars. Roughly $20 million is now spent on the notices for various government meetings, contracting opportunities and other business matters.

The newspaper industry and other critics, however, say the bill would make residents comb through individual towns' websites for notices they now can easily find in newspapers. They also claim governments are ill-equipped to administer notices online securely and satisfy legal requirements.

The measure is scheduled for a vote in the Assembly and Senate on Monday, the last day of the current legislative session.

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