TITLE: Relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of public notices.

SUMMARY: Relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of public notices.

FULL TEXT:
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 2051.0441, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: (b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the [The] newspaper in which a notice is published under this section must: (1) devote not less than 20 percent of its total column lineage to general interest items; (2) be published at least once each week; (3) be entered as periodical postal matter in the county where published or have a mailed or delivered circulation of at least 51 percent of the residences 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. (b-1) In lieu of publishing a notice in a newspaper under Subsection (b), 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.