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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to publication and posting of notice by governmental |
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entities and representatives. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 2051, |
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Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER C. NOTICE BY PUBLICATION IN NEWSPAPER; INTERNET |
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ALTERNATIVE |
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SECTION 2. Section 2051.042(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) This subchapter applies only to notice that is required |
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or authorized by law other than this subchapter to be published in a |
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newspaper. If a governmental entity or representative does not |
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choose to post notice on an Internet website under Section |
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2051.0421, this subchapter applies only to the extent that the |
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other [general or special] law requiring or authorizing the |
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publication of a notice in a newspaper [by a governmental entity or |
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representative] does not specify the manner of the publication, |
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including the number of times that the notice is required to be |
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published and the period during which the notice is required to be |
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published. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 2051, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2051.0421 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2051.0421. INTERNET POSTING ALTERNATIVE FOR NOTICE |
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REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPER. (a) Notwithstanding any |
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other law and except as provided by Section 2051.042(b), a |
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governmental entity or representative required by other law to |
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provide notice by publication in a newspaper may, as an |
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alternative, satisfy that requirement by posting the notice on the |
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governmental entity's or representative's Internet website. |
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(b) Internet website notice posted as an alternative to |
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required publication of notice in a newspaper as authorized by this |
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section: |
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(1) to the extent possible, must meet requirements |
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provided by law for the publication of the newspaper notice that can |
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be applied to an Internet website posting, including requirements |
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related to the timing, duration, content, and appearance of the |
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notice; and |
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(2) is not required to meet requirements provided by |
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law for the publication of the newspaper notice that by their nature |
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cannot be applied to an Internet website posting, including |
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requirements relating to circulation. |
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(c) This subchapter may not be construed to require a |
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governmental entity or representative that chooses the alternative |
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Internet posting under this section to also publish notice in a |
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newspaper. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |