Legislature Gives Up Vote On Public Notices

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan House failed to gather enough votes to pass a bill that would allow local governments to publish public notices online instead of in newspapers under a phased-in plan.

The House put the legislation up for a vote Thursday but closed voting after it appeared likely that not enough members were in favor.

The bill would allow local governments to post public notices on their websites instead of in newspapers after 2025.

Supporters say allowing notices to be posted online would reduce costs for municipalities and give notices a better chance of being accessible to younger residents who might not read newspapers.

Critics say the change would provide only small savings compared to total budgets for local governments. They also say publishing notices in newspapers provides an independent record.