HB 2166: Definitions and general provisions; newspapers; notices; publications; effective date. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to transition from a House version to a Senate floor version, incorporating substantive changes to newspaper qualification requirements. The most significant change involves expanding the definition of legal newspapers to include nonperiodical permit newspapers with stricter operational standards, including minimum subscription counts, content requirements, and audit obligations. Additionally, the Senate version adds new provisions requiring annual ownership statements, independent circulation audits, and court petition procedures for nonperiodical newspapers seeking legal notice status.

Scope change

The bill now applies to both periodical and nonperiodical permit newspapers, with the Senate version introducing more stringent requirements for nonperiodical newspapers to qualify as legal newspapers for publishing legal notices.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new category 'B. NONPERIODICAL PERMIT NEWSPAPER' with specific requirements including minimum 200 paid print subscriptions, 25% news content average, and annual circulation audits

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for nonperiodical newspapers to petition district court before accepting legal notice status and publish notice of intent

Added requirement for annual ownership, management, and circulation statement published nearest October 1 of each year

Added requirement for independent circulation audit by recognized firm, conducted before attaining legal newspaper status and annually thereafter

Added requirement to publish newspaper title and identification box with contact information, subscription details, and publication frequency in first five pages of each issue

DEFINITION

Modified Section 106 to include more detailed publication time requirements and county declaration provisions for nonperiodical newspapers

ENFORCEMENT

Added court authority to revoke legal newspaper status if newspaper fails to continue meeting qualification requirements

HB2166 (4-29-25) (COLEMAN) FA2.PDF → Floor (House) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill transforms the definition of legal newspapers in Oklahoma by creating two distinct categories: periodical permit newspapers and nonperiodical permit newspapers. The most significant change is the introduction of a new nonperiodical category that allows newspapers publishing at least once per week to qualify as legal newspapers, provided they meet strict requirements including 200 paid subscriptions, 25% news content, annual audits, and court approval. This expands access to legal publication beyond traditional daily newspapers while maintaining rigorous standards.

Scope change

The bill significantly expands the scope of what qualifies as a legal newspaper by adding a new nonperiodical category, while maintaining requirements for traditional periodical newspapers.

DEFINITION

Created a new 'nonperiodical permit newspaper' category allowing weekly publications to qualify as legal newspapers if they meet specific requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory requirements for nonperiodical newspapers including 200 paid subscriptions, 25% news content, annual audits, and court approval before accepting legal notices.

Required nonperiodical newspapers to publish annual ownership statements and maintain audited circulation data available to the public.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed eligibility criteria from requiring continuous publication to allowing newspapers that publish at least once per week to qualify.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a court review process where district courts must approve nonperiodical newspapers before they can accept legal notices and can revoke authority if requirements aren't met.

HB2166 (4-28-25) (COLEMAN) WDFA1.PDF → HB2166 (4-29-25) (COLEMAN) FA2.PDF · 1 edit

MINOR

The amendment modifies the deletion instruction on Page 8 of HB 2166, changing the line range from lines 11-18 to lines 11-17. This appears to be a technical correction to the amendment language rather than a substantive policy change. The document also shows a minor version number update from FA to FA2 with a one-minute timestamp difference, indicating a revised draft.

TECHNICAL

Amendment language on Page 8 was adjusted to delete one fewer line (line 18 removed from deletion scope), likely correcting an error in the amendment instructions.

HB2166 (4-28-25) (COLEMAN) FA1.PDF → HB2166 (4-28-25) (COLEMAN) WDFA1.PDF · 1 edit

MINOR

The document version was updated from a final approved version (FA) to a working draft final version (WDFA), with the timestamp changing from April 28, 2025, to April 29, 2025. No substantive policy changes, scope modifications, or legislative text alterations are present in this diff.

TECHNICAL

The document timestamp was updated from 4/28/2025 1:55 PM to 4/29/2025 2:30 PM, indicating a revision to the working draft final version.

House Committee Substitute → HB2166 (4-28-25) (COLEMAN) FA1.PDF · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to remove language requiring nonperiodical newspapers to petition a district court for authorization before carrying legal notices. This eliminates a judicial approval step that previously existed for newspapers seeking legal notice status.

Scope change

The amendment narrows the procedural requirements for nonperiodical newspapers by removing court petition requirements, making it easier for these publications to qualify as legal newspapers without judicial intervention.

REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the requirement for nonperiodical newspapers to petition a district court for authorization before carrying legal notices

Removed the court's authority to review and approve nonperiodical newspaper petitions for legal notice status

Deleted provisions allowing courts to revoke legal newspaper authority if newspapers fail to maintain qualifications

Engrossed → House Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and reformatted from an Engrossed version to a House Committee Substitute, with substantive changes to the effective date language and publication requirements. The most significant policy change is the modification of requirements for newspapers to qualify as legal newspapers, including adjustments to publication continuity standards and audit requirements. These changes affect which newspapers can legally publish official notices in Oklahoma counties.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on defining legal newspapers and their requirements for publishing official notices, but the specific criteria for qualification have been modified.

REQUIREMENT

Changed publication continuity requirements from 'consecutive publication' to 'continuity of publication' with provisions for excusable failure, making it easier for newspapers to maintain legal status despite occasional interruptions.

Adjusted the news content requirement for nonperiodical newspapers from 'twenty-five percent (25%)' to 'minimum of twenty-five percent (25%)' over a 'preceding twelve-month period' instead of 'preceding twelve-month period' with additional language about local news content.

Changed the audit requirement language from 'annually each year thereafter' to 'annually each year thereafter' with clearer language about audit availability and timing.

Added new requirements for newspapers to declare their county of publication and restrictions on moving that designation without meeting full requirements again.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the bill from Engrossed to Committee Substitute version with updated page numbering and header information.

Changed 'ZIP code' to 'zip code' in the identification box requirements for newspapers.

Introduced → Engrossed · 8 edits · Mar 25, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updated the formatting and language of HB 2166, which governs legal newspaper requirements in Oklahoma. The changes include updating the bill title from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed', refining definitions for periodical and non-periodical newspapers, and clarifying requirements for legal notice publications. These modifications ensure the legislation reflects its current legislative status and provides clearer guidance on newspaper qualifications.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on legal newspaper requirements in Oklahoma, but definitions and formatting were refined for clarity and legislative accuracy.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill header from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' status with corrected sponsor attribution

Changed 'zip code' to 'ZIP code' for standard formatting

DEFINITION

Changed 'newspapers' to 'nonperiodical newspapers' for consistency in terminology

Updated 'second-class mail matter' to 'second-class general periodical mail matter' for precision

REQUIREMENT

Changed '12-month period' to 'twelve-month period' for consistency in language

Updated 'non-periodical' to 'nonperiodical' throughout for terminology consistency

Added requirement that notices on publication websites must be freely accessible without paywall

Added specific requirement for audit availability within five (5) business days or on newspaper website

Definitions and general provisions; newspapers; notices; publications; effective date.

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors