Bill Text: TX HB2808 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the publication of required notice by a political subdivision by alternative media and on the Internet.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-04-18 - Left pending in committee [HB2808 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB2808-Introduced.html
  86R12371 MP-D
 
  By: Shaheen H.B. No. 2808
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the publication of required notice by a political
  subdivision by alternative media and on the Internet.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 2051, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E. NOTICE BY PUBLICATION IN MEDIA OTHER THAN NEWSPAPER
         Sec. 2051.151.  NOTICE BY PUBLICATION ON INTERNET. (a) In
  addition to any law requiring notice be published by newspaper and
  subject to Subsection (b), a political subdivision shall provide
  notice:
               (1)  on an Internet website maintained by the
  comptroller; and
               (2)  on the political subdivision's Internet website.
         (b)  A political subdivision may request from the
  comptroller and the comptroller may grant a waiver from the
  requirements of Subsection (a) if the political subdivision
  provides sufficient proof that Internet access is limited in the
  political subdivision. If the comptroller grants the waiver, the
  political subdivision must provide additional notice on a public
  agenda board within the political subdivision.
         (c)  Notice published under this section must be made
  available for the period required by law for which the publication
  of the notice is required in a newspaper.
         Sec. 2051.152.  NOTICE BY ALTERNATIVE MEDIA. (a) A
  political subdivision may satisfy a requirement in any other law to
  provide notice by publication in a newspaper by publishing the
  notice by media described by Subsection (b) that the political
  subdivision determines has greater circulation than the newspaper
  with the greatest circulation in the political subdivision.
         (b)  The following forms of media are authorized for
  providing notice under Subsection (a):
               (1)  social media;
               (2)  free newspapers;
               (3)  school newspapers;
               (4)  a homeowners' association newsletter or magazine;
               (5)  utility bills;
               (6)  direct mailings; and
               (7)  any other form of media authorized by the
  comptroller.
         (c)  A political subdivision that provides notice using
  alternative media under this section shall submit notice to the
  comptroller describing the alternative notice method that
  includes:
               (1)  the number of subscribers within the political
  subdivision of the newspaper with the greatest circulation in the
  political subdivision;
               (2)  a description of the alternative media used for
  the notice; and
               (3)  the circulation of the alternative media used for
  the notice.
         Sec. 2051.153.  COMPTROLLER ALTERNATIVE NOTICE REPORT. (a)
  The comptroller shall prepare a report that identifies and compares
  the effectiveness of different methods of notice publication used
  by political subdivisions. The report must include all types of
  notice that are used under this chapter and laws that require the
  publication of a notice in a newspaper.
         (b)  Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year,
  the comptroller shall submit the report described by Subsection (a)
  to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
  representatives.
         (c)  This section expires January 1, 2023.
         Sec. 2051.154.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The comptroller may
  adopt rules necessary to administer this chapter.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
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