MML seeks amendments to SB 64 & HB 10 in support of public notice modernization.
Last week, MML staff testified before the House Judiciary and Senate Judicial Proceedings committees in favor of a critical modernization package for SB 64 (and cross-filed HB 10).
The "Washington Post" Problem
During testimony, we highlighted the absurd costs our members face under current law. For a single municipal charter amendment, cities and towns can be forced to pay as much as $2,000 for four separate notices in regional newspapers like the Washington Post - outlets that rarely cover the local issues of the specific town paying the bill.
At a time when every local tax dollar counts, MML is advocating for a shift from mandated print spending to digital efficiency. While SB 64 & HB 10 take a step forward by allowing for posting in certain digital newspapers, MML is pushing amendments to create a central platform that is free for anyone to access.
Our Proposed Solution: The Universal Access Amendment
- The State Archives Portal: Establishing a free, searchable, and permanent digital portal housed within the Maryland State Archives.
- Universal Equivalency: Ensuring that posting to the Archives Portal and your municipal website satisfies legal notice requirements.
- Local Reach: Preserving the requirement to use a local newspaper only if a municipality does not maintain its own website.
- The Transition Bridge: A one-year "uncodified" requirement for jurisdictions to post quarterly notices in print newspapers to educate residents on where to find digital notices moving forward.
By moving to a digital portal, we are looking to make public notices more accessible to the visually impaired through screen readers and to non-English speaking populations through automated translation tools - options simply not possible with traditional newsprint.
What’s Next?
The committees are now considering these amendments. We will continue to keep you updated as this bill moves through the 2026 Session.
For more information relating to this legislation, please contact Justin Fiore, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, [email protected].
