AB 2323
Publication: newspapers of general circulation.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
In Floor Process
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires California newspapers of general circulation to publish public notices both in print and on their websites. It prohibits newspapers from charging fees to access these public notices online, while allowing them to continue charging for other content. The goal is to increase public access to important legal and governmental information.
Key provisions
- Public notices must be published in both print and online versions of newspapers of general circulation.
- Newspapers cannot charge fees to access public notices on their websites.
- Newspapers can still charge fees for other content on their websites.
- The bill adds a new section to the California Government Code.
- The requirement applies to notices mandated by statutes, ordinances, bylaws, or judicial orders.
- The bill clarifies that the definition of ‘newspaper of general circulation’ remains unchanged.
- The bill applies to both print and electronic newspapers available on the internet.
Who is affected
- Newspapers of general circulation
- Government agencies requiring public notices
- Members of the public who rely on newspapers for legal information
- California residents
Notable changes
- Requires online publication of public notices alongside print publication.
- Prohibits fees for accessing public notices online, ensuring free public access.
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AB2323:v98#DOCUMENT
Bill Start
| Amended IN Senate May 20, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2323
| Introduced by Assembly Member McKinnor (Coauthor: Assembly Member Dixon) |
| February 19, 2026 |
An act to add Section 6009 to the Government Code, relating to public notice.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2323, as amended, McKinnor. Publication: newspapers of general circulation.
Existing law requires various types of notices to be provided in a “newspaper of general circulation,” as that term is defined, in accordance with certain prescribed publication periods and legal requirements. Existing law requires a newspaper of general circulation to meet certain criteria, including publication, a bona fide subscription list of paying subscribers, and printing and publishing at regular intervals in the state, county, or city where publication is to be given.
This bill would require any public notice that is legally required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation to be published in the newspaper’s print publication and on the newspaper’s internet website or electronic newspaper available on the internet.
This bill would prohibit a newspaper from charging a fee or surcharge to access public notices on their internet website or for posting a legally required public notice, as specified. This bill would provide, however, that a newspaper may continue to charge a fee or surcharge for access to other content on their internet website.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 6009 is added to the Government Code, immediately following Section 6008, to read:
6009.
(a) When any public notice is legally required by a statute, ordinance, bylaw, or judicial order to be published in a newspaper of general circulation, that notice shall be published in and on both of the following:
(a)
(1) The newspaper’s print publication.
(b)
(2) The newspaper’s internet website or electronic newspaper available on the internet.
(b) (1) A newspaper shall not charge a fee or surcharge specifically to access public notices on their internet website. However, a newspaper may continue to charge a fee or surcharge for access to other content on their internet website.(2) A newspaper shall not charge an additional fee or surcharge specifically for posting a public notice described in subdivision (a) to the newspaper’s internet website.