Pennsylvania 2025_0 Regular Session Status: In Committee 9 R cosponsors

SB 194 — An Act Amending Titles 45 (Legal Notices) and 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in legal advertising, further providing for use of trade publications and providing for local government unit advertising requirements; and, in open meetings, further providing for definitions.

Last action — Removed from table, Oct. 6, 2026

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 29, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 9 sponsors

    1 primary, 8 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (9 R).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill modifies local government advertising and notice methods in Pennsylvania.

This bill allows local governments in Pennsylvania to use their websites and other online platforms for legal advertising. It sets forth requirements for posting and adopting resolutions related to these advertising methods.

What this means for you
  • Small Business: This may make it easier for small businesses to access local government notices online.

Summary

Flexibility for Local Government Advertising and Notice Requirements

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

67 added · 214 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised version of Bill SB 194 simplifies how local governments in Pennsylvania can meet legal advertising requirements. The updated language removes the inclusion of trade publications and specifies that notices can now be posted not just in local newspapers, but also on the local government's website or on any publicly accessible website dedicated to advertisements. This change matters because it increases accessibility and may reduce costs for local governments, allowing them to reach more people through digital platforms.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
144 PRINTER'S NO.
144 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
933 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
194 2025 INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, PHILLIPS-HILL, PENNYCUICK, BROWN AND YAW, JANUARY 29, 2025 REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 29, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania methods for advertising.n legal advertising, providing for The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
194 2025 INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, PHILLIPS-HILL, PENNYCUICK, BROWN, YAW AND LAUGHLIN, JANUARY 29, 2025 SENATOR KEEFER, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AS AMENDED, JUNE 10, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 45 (Legal Notices) of the Pennsylvania <-- Consolidated Statutes, in legal advertising, providing for methods for advertising.
AMENDING TITLES 45 (LEGAL NOTICES) AND 65 (PUBLIC OFFICERS) OF <-- PROVISIONS, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS;
IN LEGAL ADVERTISING, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR USE OF TRADE PUBLICATIONS AND PROVIDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS;
AND, IN OPEN MEETINGS, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
Title 45 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated <-- Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
Title 45 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
(2) Adopt a resolution declaring the local government 20250SB0194PN0933 - 2 - unit's intent to use one or more of the methods in subsection (a)(2) or (3) to satisfy the requirement to publish an advertisement or notice required by law, rule or regulation prior to utilizing one of those methods.
(2) Adopt a resolution declaring the local government unit's intent to use one or more of the methods in subsection (a)(2) or (3) to satisfy the requirement to publish an advertisement or notice required by law, rule or regulation 20250SB0194PN0144 - 2 - prior to utilizing one of those methods.
SECTION 1.
20250SB0194PN0144 - 3 -
THE DEFINITION OF "PUBLICATION" IN SECTION 101(A) <-- OF TITLE 45 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES IS AMENDED AND THE SUBSECTION IS AMENDED BY ADDING DEFINITIONS TO READ:
§ 101.
DEFINITIONS.
(A) DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO PRINTING OR NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING LAWS.--SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS CONTAINED IN SUBSEQUENT PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE, THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN:
(1) THIS TITLE;
OR (2) ANY OTHER LAW RELATING TO PRINTING OR NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING;
SHALL HAVE, UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE, THE 20250SB0194PN0933 - 3 - MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SUBSECTION:
* * * "ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATION METHOD." A METHOD OF ADVERTISING OR PUBLIC NOTICE THAT INCLUDES PUBLICATION ON A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF A COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OR A LINK ON A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF A COUNTY AND A LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT THAT CONNECTS TO THE PUBLIC NOTICE AND PHYSICAL POSTING AT A DESIGNATED PUBLIC LOCATION, AS AUTHORIZED UNDER SECTION 311 (RELATING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS).
* * * "LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT." A COUNTY, CITY, BOROUGH, INCORPORATED TOWN, TOWNSHIP, SCHOOL DISTRICT, MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY OR ANY ENTITY GOVERNED BY A HOME RULE CHARTER, OPTIONAL PLAN OR OPTIONAL CHARTER UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.
* * * "PUBLICATION." (1) THE ACT OF PRINTING A NOTICE, ADVERTISEMENT, OR PROCLAMATION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISSEMINATING INFORMATION TO THE PEOPLE AT LARGE.
(2) A JOURNAL, MAGAZINE, NEWSPAPER, CLASS NEWSPAPER OR PERIODICAL.
(3) AN ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATION METHOD.
* * * SECTION 2.
SECTION 306 OF TITLE 45 IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBSECTION TO READ:
§ 306.
USE OF TRADE PUBLICATIONS.
* * * (C) LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT.--NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER 20250SB0194PN0933 - 4 - PROVISION OF THIS SECTION, A LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT MAY SATISFY LEGAL PUBLICATION REQUIREMENTS TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR PUBLIC WORKS, CONTRACTS, SUPPLIES OR EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 311 (RELATING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS).
SECTION 3.
TITLE 45 IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ:
§ 311.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS.
(A) ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.--IF AN ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE IS REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED BY THIS TITLE OR OTHER STATUTE, A LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT SHALL FULFILL THE REQUIREMENT BY USING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
(1) NEWSPAPER.
(2) (I) PUBLICATION ON THE OFFICIAL PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT IS LOCATED.
(II) PUBLICATION ON THE OFFICIAL PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT, IF PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITES EXIST.
(III) PHYSICAL POSTING OF A COPY OF THE ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE AT:
(A) THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT;
AND (B) THE PUBLIC BUILDING IN WHICH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT REGULARLY CONDUCTS PUBLIC MEETINGS.
(B) EXCEPTION.--IF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT DOES NOT OPERATE OR MAINTAIN ITS OWN OFFICIAL PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT SHALL SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (A) BY DOING EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:
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(1) PUBLISHING THE ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE ON THE OFFICIAL PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF THE COUNTY 20250SB0194PN0933 - 5 - IN WHICH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT IS LOCATED.
(2) PUBLISHING THE ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION WITHIN THE COUNTY OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT.
(3) POSTING A PHYSICAL COPY OF THE ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE AT:
(I) THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT;
AND (II) THE PUBLIC BUILDING IN WHICH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT REGULARLY CONDUCTS PUBLIC MEETINGS.
(C) RETENTION OF RECORDS.--EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT SHALL RETAIN A COPY OF EACH ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND ELECTRONICALLY, FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS.
(D) CONSTRUCTION.--NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO ELIMINATE THE OBLIGATION TO PUBLISH IN A LEGAL JOURNAL IF THE PUBLICATION IS REQUIRED UNDER THIS TITLE OR ANY OTHER LAW.
SECTION 4.
THE DEFINITION OF "PUBLIC NOTICE" IN SECTION 703 OF TITLE 65 IS AMENDED TO READ:
§ 703.
DEFINITIONS.
THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS CHAPTER SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:
* * * "PUBLIC NOTICE." (1) FOR A MEETING:
(I) PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF THE PLACE, DATE AND TIME OF A MEETING IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION[, AS DEFINED BY 45 PA.C.S.
§ 101 (RELATING TO DEFINITIONS),] WHICH IS PUBLISHED AND CIRCULATED IN THE 20250SB0194PN0933 - 6 - POLITICAL SUBDIVISION WHERE THE MEETING WILL BE HELD, OR IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION WHICH HAS A BONA FIDE PAID CIRCULATION IN THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN ANY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION.
(II) POSTING A NOTICE OF THE PLACE, DATE AND TIME OF A MEETING PROMINENTLY AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING OR AT THE PUBLIC BUILDING IN WHICH THE MEETING IS TO BE HELD.
(III) GIVING NOTICE TO PARTIES UNDER SECTION 709(C) (RELATING TO PUBLIC NOTICE).
(IV) PUBLICATION USING AN ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATION METHOD AS DEFINED BY 45 PA.C.S.
§ 101 (RELATING TO DEFINITIONS) SATISFIES THIS REQUIREMENT.
(2) FOR A RECESSED OR RECONVENED MEETING:
(I) POSTING A NOTICE OF THE PLACE, DATE AND TIME OF THE MEETING PROMINENTLY AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING OR AT THE PUBLIC BUILDING IN WHICH THE MEETING IS TO BE HELD.
(II) GIVING NOTICE TO PARTIES UNDER SECTION 709(C).
* * * SECTION 5.
WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, COUNTIES SHALL DESIGNATE AN OFFICE AS THE MAIN CONTACT FOR RECEIVING PUBLIC NOTICES FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS.
CONTACT INFORMATION, INCLUDING PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS, SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT THAT RESIDES IN THE COUNTY.
SECTION 6.
THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT AS FOLLOWS:
(1) SECTION 5 OF THIS ACT AND THIS SECTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
20250SB0194PN0933 - 7 - (2) THE REMAINDER OF THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IN 90 DAYS.
20250SB0194PN0933 - 8 -
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How this bill changes current law

7 changes Share ↗

Compared against the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands the methods for advertising by local government units and adds new definitions related to public notices and advertising methods.

  • 45 Pa.C.S. § 101

    "ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATION METHOD." A METHOD OF ADVERTISING OR PUBLIC NOTICE THAT INCLUDES PUBLICATION ON A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF A COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OR A LINK ON A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF A COUNTY AND A LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT THAT CONNECTS TO THE PUBLIC NOTICE AND PHYSICAL POSTING AT A DESIGNATED PUBLIC LOCATION, AS AUTHORIZED UNDER SECTION 311 (RELATING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS).

    Introduces a new definition for alternative methods of publication.

  • 45 Pa.C.S. § 101

    "LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT." A COUNTY, CITY, BOROUGH, INCORPORATED TOWN, TOWNSHIP, SCHOOL DISTRICT, MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY OR ANY ENTITY GOVERNED BY A HOME RULE CHARTER, OPTIONAL PLAN OR OPTIONAL CHARTER UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.

    Adds a definition for local government units.

  • 45 Pa.C.S. § 101

    "PUBLICATION." (1) THE ACT OF PRINTING A NOTICE, ADVERTISEMENT, OR PROCLAMATION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISSEMINATING INFORMATION TO THE PEOPLE AT LARGE. (2) A JOURNAL, MAGAZINE, NEWSPAPER, CLASS NEWSPAPER OR PERIODICAL. (3) AN ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATION METHOD.

    Expands the definition of publication to include alternative methods.

  • 45 Pa.C.S. § 306

    (C) LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT.--NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION, A LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT MAY SATISFY LEGAL PUBLICATION REQUIREMENTS TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR PUBLIC WORKS, CONTRACTS, SUPPLIES OR EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 311 (RELATING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS).

    Allows local government units to advertise bids using the methods specified in the new section 311.

  • 45 Pa.C.S. § 311

    (A) ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.--IF AN ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE IS REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED BY THIS TITLE OR OTHER STATUTE, A LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT SHALL FULFILL THE REQUIREMENT BY USING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS: (1) NEWSPAPER. (2) (I) PUBLICATION ON THE OFFICIAL PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT IS LOCATED. (II) PUBLICATION ON THE OFFICIAL PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT, IF PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITES EXIST. (III) PHYSICAL POSTING OF A COPY OF THE ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE AT: (A) THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT; AND (B) THE PUBLIC BUILDING IN WHICH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT REGULARLY CONDUCTS PUBLIC MEETINGS.

    Establishes new methods for local government units to fulfill advertising requirements.

  • 45 Pa.C.S. § 311

    (C) RETENTION OF RECORDS.--EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT SHALL RETAIN A COPY OF EACH ADVERTISEMENT OR NOTICE, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND ELECTRONICALLY, FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS.

    Imposes a new record retention requirement for local government units regarding advertisements and notices.

  • 45 Pa.C.S. § 311

    (D) CONSTRUCTION.--NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO ELIMINATE THE OBLIGATION TO PUBLISH IN A LEGAL JOURNAL IF THE PUBLICATION IS REQUIRED UNDER THIS TITLE OR ANY OTHER LAW.

    Clarifies that the new methods do not eliminate existing publication obligations in legal journals.

Action History

  1. Removed from table, Oct. 6, 2026

  2. Laid on the table (Pursuant to Senate Rule 9), Sept. 8, 2025

  3. First consideration, June 10, 2025

  4. Reported as amended, June 10, 2025

  5. Referred to LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Jan. 29, 2025

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 244 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (8)

Not signed on (244)

244 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 194 do?
Flexibility for Local Government Advertising and Notice Requirements
Who sponsors SB 194?
SB 194 is sponsored by Doug Mastriano (Republican), Kristin Phillips-Hill (Republican), Tracy Pennycuick (Republican), Rosemary M. Brown (Republican), Gene Yaw (Republican), Daniel Laughlin (Republican), Elder A. Vogel (Republican), Greg Rothman (Republican), and Devlin J. Robinson (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 194?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 29, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 194?
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