SRC-VRA H.B. 2898 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2898
78R12048 ATP-DBy: Phillips (Deuell)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/16/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Governmental entities are required by law in a variety of circumstances to
publish notice in certain newspapers.  In some rural counties, there may
be no newspaper that meets these requirements.  In other counties, these
restrictions may force governmental entities to publish notice in
newspapers that are not necessarily the most likely medium to serve notice
to the greatest number of citizens.    
H.B. 2898 allows a governmental entity publishing notice in certain
counties more flexibility  in choosing a newspaper that is most likely to
reach the greatest number of citizens within that county.  
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 2051.044, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(c) to provide that this section does not apply to the publication of a
notice to which Section 2051.0441 applies. 
 
SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 2051, Government Code, by adding
Section 2051.0441, as follows: 
 
Sec. 2051.0441.  TYPE OF NEWSPAPER REQUIRED FOR PUBLICATION IN CERTAIN
COUNTIES.  (a)  Provides that this section applies only to a notice
published in a county with a population of at least 30,000 and not more
than 36,000 that borders the Red River by a governmental entity or
representative. 
 
(b)  Requires the newspaper in which a notice is published under this
section to meet certain requirements. 
  
(c)  Provides that a weekly newspaper has been published regularly and
continuously under Subsection (b) if the newspaper omits not more than two
issues in the 12-month period. 
 
SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.