BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1530

By: Workman

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that certain political subdivisions struggle with the requirement to provide certain notices by publication in a newspaper because of cost or lack of an appropriate newspaper in the political subdivision. H.B. 1530 seeks to authorize the publication of required notice by a political subdivision in media other than a newspaper.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1530 amends the Government Code to authorize a political subdivision to satisfy a requirement in any law to provide notice by publication in a newspaper by publishing the notice in any other form of media that the political subdivision determines will provide sufficient public notice, including on the political subdivision's website or an online newspaper. The bill requires a notice published in media other than a newspaper to be published for the period required by law for the publication of the notice in a newspaper.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.