88R2380 MP-D
 
  By: Shaheen H.B. No. 622
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the publication of required notice by a political
  subdivision by alternative media.
         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
         Sec. 2051.081.  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
  notice:
               (1)  by media described by Subsection (c) that the
  political subdivision determines has greater circulation than the
  newspaper with the greatest circulation in the political
  subdivision; and
               (2)  on the Internet websites maintained by:
                     (A)  the political subdivision; and
                     (B)  the comptroller.
         (b)  Before providing notice by an alternative method under
  Subsection (a), a political subdivision must hold a public meeting
  about the alternative notice method.  During the meeting, the
  political subdivision must demonstrate that the circulation of the
  alternative media will be greater than the circulation of the
  newspaper with the greatest circulation in the political
  subdivision.
         (c)  The following forms of media are authorized for
  providing notice under Subsection (a)(1):
               (1)  social media;
               (2)  free newspapers;
               (3)  school newspapers;
               (4)  a homeowners' association newsletter or magazine;
               (5)  utility bills;
               (6)  direct mailings; and
               (7)  any other form of media authorized by the
  comptroller.
         (d)  A political subdivision that provides notice using
  alternative media under this section shall submit notice to the
  comptroller describing the alternative notice method that
  includes:
               (1)  the number of subscribers within the political
  subdivision of the newspaper with the greatest circulation in the
  political subdivision;
               (2)  a description of the alternative media used for
  the notice; and
               (3)  the circulation of the alternative media used for
  the notice.
         (e)  After receipt of the notice under Subsection (d), the
  comptroller shall promptly publish on the comptroller's Internet
  website notice as described by Subsection (a)(2), unless the
  comptroller requires notice by newspaper under Subsection (f) or
  waives the requirement under Subsection (g).
         (f)  The comptroller may require a political subdivision to
  provide notice by newspaper if the comptroller:
               (1)  determines the alternative media used by the
  political subdivision to provide notice under Subsection (a) does
  not have a greater circulation than the newspaper with the greatest
  circulation in the political subdivision; and
               (2)  provides written notice to the political
  subdivision of the comptroller's determination under Subdivision
  (1).
         (g)  A political subdivision may request from the
  comptroller, and the comptroller may grant, a waiver from the
  requirements of Subsection (a)(2) if the political subdivision
  provides sufficient proof that Internet access is limited in the
  political subdivision.  If the comptroller grants the waiver, the
  political subdivision must provide additional notice on a public
  agenda board within the political subdivision.
         (h)  Notice published under Subsection (a)(2) must be made
  available for the period of time required by law for which the
  publication of the notice is required in a newspaper.
         Sec. 2051.0815.  COMPTROLLER ALTERNATIVE NOTICE REPORT. (a)
  The comptroller shall prepare a report that identifies and compares
  the effectiveness of different methods of notice publication used
  by political subdivisions. The report must include all types of
  notice that are used under this chapter and laws that require the
  publication of a notice in a newspaper by a political subdivision.
         (b)  Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year,
  the comptroller shall submit the report described by Subsection (a)
  to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
  representatives.
         (c)  This section expires January 1, 2027.
         Sec. 2051.082.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The comptroller may
  adopt rules necessary to administer this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.