HB1028 - Relating to certain political subdivisions publishing required notices by alternative media.

  89R3128 MP-D     By: Shaheen H.B. No. 1028       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to certain political subdivisions publishing required   notices by alternative media.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 2051, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter C-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER C-1.   NOTICE BY PUBLICATION IN MEDIA OTHER THAN   NEWSPAPER BY CERTAIN POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS           Sec.   2051.081.     APPLICABILITY.   This subchapter applies only   to a political subdivision with a population of 75,000 or less and   in which there is no newspaper of general circulation.   If no   population is specified for a political subdivision in the federal   decennial census, the population of the political subdivision is   the population determined by the attorney general for purposes of   this section.           Sec.   2051.082.     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:                 (1)  by media described by Subsection (d); and                 (2)     for a continuous period of not less than two weeks   in a prominent location on an Internet website maintained by the   political subdivision that does not require user registration or   payment for access.           (b)     A political subdivision that publishes notice on an   Internet website under Subsection (a)(2) must ensure that:                 (1)     the Internet website and the notices are   searchable; and                 (2)  a user is able to search the notices by:                       (A)  subject matter;                       (B)     the location required to be provided in the   notice under the other laws that require notice by publication in a   newspaper; and                       (C)  both subject matter and location.           (c)     Before providing notice by an alternative method under   Subsection (a), a political subdivision must hold a public meeting   about the alternative notice method.           (d)     The following forms of media are authorized for   providing notice under Subsection (a)(1):                 (1)  social media;                 (2)  free newspapers;                 (3)  school newspapers;                 (4)  a homeowners' association newsletter or magazine;                 (5)  utility bills;                 (6)  direct mailings; and                 (7)  a print or digital newsletter.           (e)     A political subdivision that provides notice using   alternative media under this section shall submit notice to the   attorney general describing the alternative notice method that   includes:                 (1)     a list of the other laws requiring notice by   publication in a newspaper for which notice published under this   section is an alternative;                 (2)     a description of the alternative media used for   the notice; and                 (3)     a link to the Internet website maintained by the   political subdivision where the public notice will be posted.           (f)     After receipt of the notice under Subsection (e), the   attorney general shall promptly publish on the attorney general's   Internet website a list of political subdivisions that provide   notice as described by this subchapter.           Sec.   2051.083.     RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The attorney general   may adopt rules necessary to administer this subchapter.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.