DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 507 Original 2023 Regular Session Edmonds
Abstract: Revises billing methods for publication of public notices and provides for a transitional
period between the two different methods.
Present law provides that police juries, municipal corporations, and school boards may have their
official proceedings published by contract. Provides that payment may be made monthly or
quarterly. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides for billing for public printing with a method based on agate line or per-square
column.
Proposed law provides for a billing method according to price per character.
Proposed law provides for a transitional period between Jan. 1, 2024, and June 30, 2027, during
which these entities have the option of using either the present law or proposed law method (or
both). Provides that as of July 1, 2027, proposed law shall be the only billing method allowed.
Proposed law further:
(1)Requires an official journal, within 30 days of publication of a public notice, to submit a bill
for the publication with a clipping of the published notice and a verified statement that states
the rate charged and certifies the number and dates of publication.
(2)Provides that no compensation for publishing a public notice shall be recoverable unless the
bill is accompanied by this verified statement.
(3)Not later than Jan. 1, 2024, requires every official journal to have a website and post all
notices on that website and on a collective website; provides, however, that failure to post
on these websites does not affect the validity of the public notice. Provides that the charge
for publication on either of these websites shall be subsumed within the applicable rates as
provided in present law and proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 43:147; Adds R.S. 43:147.1 and 147.2; Repeals R.S. 43:147.1 and 147.2)