bill lets public notices run in digital newspapers

The text as introduced · 277 words

89R8930 JBD-D

By: Smithee
H.B. No. 3782

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of

public notices.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2051.044, Government Code, is amended by

amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as

follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the [ The ]

newspaper in which a notice is published must:

(1) devote not less than 25 percent of its total column

lineage to general interest items;

(2) be published at least once each week;

(3) be entered as second-class postal matter in the

county where published; and

(4) have been published regularly and continuously for

at least 12 months before the governmental entity or representative

publishes notice.

(a-1) In lieu of publishing a notice in a newspaper under

Subsection (a), a governmental entity may publish a notice in a

digital newspaper if that digital newspaper:

(1) has an audited paid-subscriber base;

(2) has been in business for at least three years;

(3) employs staff in the jurisdiction of the

governmental entity;

(4) reports on local events and governmental

activities in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity;

(5) provides news of general interest to people in the

jurisdiction of the governmental entity; and

(6) updates its news at least once each week.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.