HB 1291 will modernize public notice in Pennsylvania. PNA supports comprehensive print, digital updates to 49-year-old law.
About Public Notices
Public notices are official advertisements required to be published in printed newspapers of general circulation. They are mandated by statutes, regulations, court rules, and court orders. Public notices are important because they inform citizens about tax increases, zoning changes, school closures, environmental proposals impacting health and property, and other critical issues before local governments take action. Public notices are published in newspapers because newspapers are an independent, third party whose constitutional role is to hold government accountable. Public notices have been published in newspapers in Pennsylvania for centuries; in fact, the Declaration of Independence was a public notice published in the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776.
Public notices in Pennsylvania are governed by the Newspaper Advertising Act, which requires that public notices be published in printed newspapers of general circulation. More specific statutes dealing with a variety of subjects often contain more detailed notice requirements. PNA is currently monitoring bills in the General Assembly that would seek to amend the Newspaper Advertising Act, as well as many other pieces of legislation that would touch on public notices.
Pennsylvania’s newspapers remain the most reliable place to read and establish legal proof of public notices. Most of Pennsylvania registered voters, 92%, agree that public notices should be published in print by local newspapers and favor current state law that requires this process.1
Print, digital access essential for public notice
An op-ed from PNA President and CEO Bill Cotter is available for download.
We strongly encourage you to publish the article in support of House Bill 1291, legislation to modernize the Newspaper Advertising Act of 1976. We also urge editorials supporting this legislation. The sponsor of the bill is Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Northampton), chairman of the House Local Government Committee. They are expected to vote on HB 1291 in early to mid-May. As you can see, time is of the essence. We must rally support to move this to the full House for consideration.
Search public notices in Pennsylvania
The website linked below is a compilation of public notices published throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is a public service made possible by the newspapers of Pennsylvania at no cost to taxpayers. This easy-to-use website is designed to assist citizens who want to know more about the actions of local, county and state government, as well as events occurring in the local and state court systems.
1 “PA NewsMedia Association Benchmark,’’ survey of 600 Pennsylvania registered voters Aug. 24-28, 2022, conducted for PNA by Public Opinion Strategies, Alexandria, Virginia.