Senate panel debates modernizing public‑notice law as publishers warn of archival and access risks

Senate Bill 437, a proposal to modernize Oregon's public-notice statutes by replacing the word “newspaper” with a broader term such as “news publication,” prompted a lengthy hearing on March 19 in the Senate committee on Holders that attracted multiple written and oral opponents and supporters.

Sponsor Senator **** Anderson said the bill is meant to “meet Oregonians where they are” by allowing digital publishers and broadcasters to publish public notices where they have demonstrable local reach. Anderson cited Pew Research Center data and argued that fewer people rely on print newspapers today: “Today, only 9% of Americans prefer print newspapers, while 48% turn to digital or other platforms,” Anderson said, and added communities without local daily papers are effectively disconnected under the existing statute.

Supporters told the committee the existing system can be costly and ineffective in areas that have lost local newspapers. Colleen Brady, regional manager for the Elkhorn Media Group, said in rural Eastern Oregon her group's monthly page views exceed 717,000 and argued local governments should be able to choose platforms that actually reach their residents. Colleen Brady and other supporters recommended allowing small…