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Assembly approves bill requiring 120‑day notice before local newspaper sales
Summary
AB 611, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Lee, would require 120 days' notice before the sale of a local newspaper; supporters said the notice would give employees and communities time to organize. The measure passed, 41-13.
The California Assembly on April 28 passed AB 611, a bill by Assemblymember Matt Lee that would require owners to give 120 days' notice before selling a local newspaper to give newsroom staff and the community time to respond and explore alternatives.
Lee said private equity and hedge funds have rapidly consolidated local papers, reducing newsroom staffing and local coverage. “Keeping local news local is critical, and we're losing that now,” Lee said, citing recent sales in Santa Rosa and the presence of large corporate owners.
Assemblymember Rebecca Rogers of Santa Rosa described recent local experience in which employees and a labor union were surprised by a change in ownership and emphasized the need for transparency and additional time to vet buyers. The bill's supporters said the notice period would create an opportunity for employees, local governments, potential local buyers and community groups to negotiate alternatives.
The Clerk closed the roll; the tally announced on the floor was Ayes 41, Noes 13. The measure passed and was ordered to pass and retain on file.
