Pa. House panel advances online legal notices bill

HARRISBURG (AP) — A bill that would let Pennsylvania municipalities and school boards post their legal notices online — cutting millions in fees that are currently paid to newspapers — is on its way to the House floor.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 18-6 today in favor of the measure sponsored by Rep. Tom Creighton, a Lancaster County Republican.

The committee also defeated an amendment that would have maintained the current system but required newspapers to give governments their lowest rate for such ads.

Supporters say municipalities and school boards currently spend about $26 million a year on legal ads.

Opponents argue that the public knows where to find the ads now and that not everyone has access to the Internet.