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AB-611 • 2026

Legacy local news organizations: notice of sale.

Legacy local news organizations: notice of sale.

Labor
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Lee
Last action
2025-06-26
Official status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide information about what happens if a notice is not given on time or any other potential consequences of non-compliance with this requirement.

Notice Requirements for Local News Organizations Selling

This law requires long-established local news organizations to notify their employees at least 120 days before selling their business, including details about the sale and who will buy it.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires a legacy local news organization to provide notice of intent to sell at least 120 days before final execution of any transaction agreement.
  • Specifies that the notice must include information such as the name of the proposed buyer.
  • Does not apply if the news organization would still be independently owned after the sale.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Legacy local news organizations
  • Employees of legacy local news organizations

Terms To Know

Legacy local news organization
A long-established news company in a specific area that provides local news.
Notice of intent to sell
A message sent before selling a business, telling people about the planned sale and important details.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if the notice is not given on time.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-26 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  2. 2025-06-19 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  3. 2025-05-21 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on JUD. and L., P.E. & R.

  4. 2025-05-08 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  5. 2025-05-08 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 41. Noes 14. Page 1480.)

  6. 2025-05-01 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  7. 2025-04-30 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 3.) (April 29).

  8. 2025-04-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  9. 2025-04-22 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.

  10. 2025-04-21 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. Read second time and amended.

  11. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.

  12. 2025-03-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. Read second time and amended.

  13. 2025-03-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on L. & E. and JUD.

  14. 2025-02-14 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.

  15. 2025-02-13 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 611, as amended, Lee.
Legacy local news organizations: notice of sale.
Existing law requires an incumbent grocery employer, defined as a person that owns, controls, or operates the grocery establishment at the time of a change in control, as defined, to post a public notice of a change in control at the location of the affected grocery establishment within 5 business days following the execution of the transfer document, as specified. Existing law, among other things, requires a covered establishment, defined to include a grocery establishment or a pharmacy establishment, to provide written notice of a closure to persons or entities, as specified, no later than 45 days before the closure takes effect.
This bill would require a legacy local news organization, at least 120 days before the final execution of any transaction agreement, to provide a notice of intent to sell, as specified. The bill
would require written notice to be provided, among other things, directly to each employee of the legacy local news organization, as specified, and would require the notice to include prescribed information, including the name of the proposed buyer. The bill would specify that its provisions do not apply to a legacy local news organization that would be independently owned after a transaction. The bill would define various terms for these purposes.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF