HB 1028
AN ACT relating to certain political subdivisions publishing required
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Allows small political subdivisions (with populations of 75,000 or less) without a local newspaper to publish required public notices through alternative media like websites, homeowners' association newsletters, or digital newsletters. Political subdivisions must hold a public meeting before changing their notice method and submit details about their alternative notice approach to the Attorney General. The goal is to provide flexible, accessible public notice options for rural or smaller communities where traditional newspaper publication may not be feasible.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to certain political subdivisions publishing required 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 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 (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 (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 (2) a user is able to search the notices by: (B) the location required to be provided in the notice under the other laws that require notice by publication in a (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): (4) a homeowners' association newsletter or magazine; (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 (1) a list of the other laws requiring notice by publication in a newspaper for which notice published under this (2) a description of the alternative media used for (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.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to certain political subdivisions publishing required
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