Iowa House Bill HF877

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 4/3/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to proofs of publication of public notices.(Formerly HSB 247.)

Impact

By defining proof of publication more explicitly, HF877 seeks to streamline the requirements for public notices used by government bodies. It allows for flexibility in how these proofs are provided, potentially reducing the administrative burden associated with public notices. Additionally, the bill allows newspapers to charge for specific proof preparations that involve notarization, thereby enabling them to recoup costs associated with additional services. This can be seen as a way to modernize how governmental processes interact with media outlets.

Summary

House File 877 relates to the proofs of publication for public notices, aiming to provide clarity and ease in how such proofs are defined and utilized within the state. The bill stipulates that a proof of publication must include the published document, the date of publication, and the name of the newspaper. In cases where a public notice is posted online, a statement of its posting on the statewide public notice internet site suffices as proof. This change addresses needs for modernizing public notices and adapting to current practices in information dissemination.

Contention

While the bill is aimed at improving the efficiency of handling public notices, there may be some contention surrounding the fees that newspapers can charge for proofs of publication. There is concern that allowing fees for certain proofs might create barriers for smaller government entities that may struggle to afford additional costs, which could ultimately hamper their ability to communicate effectively with the public. This balance between fair compensation for media and the accessibility of governmental information remains a critical discussion point.