A bill allowing more publications to be designated as "legal newspapers" has advanced from the Senate Local Government Committee.
SB 75 would allow publications with free hard copies to carry legal notices in their printed issues. This would include papers like the Dakota Scout and Aberdeen Insider, which are currently ineligible.
Printing legal notices for local governments is a source of revenue for many publications.
South Dakota NewsMedia Association executive director David Bordewyk testified in favor of the bill, saying it’s reflective of a changing industry.
“This bill does not jeopardize existing legal newspapers in South Dakota, in fact it creates a new option for distribution for newspapers that today face fast-rising postal expenses," Bordewyk said. "More importantly, Senate Bill 75 contains strong safeguards to ensure public notices are delivered to an intended audience in a community served by the newspaper.”
There are provisions these publications must adhere to moving forward. That includes at least 50 weekly publications a year, a minimum of 25 percent of page space dedicated to local content and maintaining an office in a South Dakota community.
There was no opposition testimony in Friday's hearing.