The governor has signed a bill on May 15 that updates the process for establishing a newspaper of record in Oklahoma counties where none currently exists.
The new law, House Bill 2166, is authored by Representative John Pfeiffer. The legislation aims to make it easier to start newspapers, especially in smaller counties, while maintaining government transparency and standards.
“This ensures high standards and government transparency are maintained, but it allows the state to put a new process in place for the posting of public notices without having to go through the strictures of the postal service,” Pfeiffer said. “This hopefully will make it easier for those wanting to start a newspaper, particularly in some of the state’s smaller counties.”
House Bill 2166 defines two classes of legal newspapers: periodical permit newspapers and non-periodical permit newspapers. It outlines specific requirements for each class. Both types must register ownership with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and publish all legal notices on their websites outside any paywall. Notices must also be placed on a statewide website managed jointly by most qualified Oklahoma legal newspapers when applicable.
Additional requirements include publishing promotional ads in every issue containing public notices, keeping archives of printed issues with legal notices for at least three years, and ensuring ownership remains independent from governmental or political entities as well as fraternal or religious organizations.
The law also shortens the minimum establishment period for new newspapers from 104 weeks to 52 weeks if no newspaper exists in a county. It increases from 14 to 21 days—the threshold during which a paper can miss publication due to accident, emergency or natural disaster without penalty.
Supporters say these changes could help foster local journalism while preserving access to important public information.
