Tennessee Senate Bill SB2317

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24
• Chaptered: 5/1/24
• Passed: 5/1/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1 and Title 8, Chapter 44, relative to public notices.

Impact

The proposed changes aim to widen the reach of legal notices beyond print media, aligning with contemporary media consumption trends. By defining specific standards for the websites used, the bill seeks to ensure that the information published is credible, regularly updated, and not solely used for promoting individual causes. This could have a significant impact on local newspapers as it may reduce their readership and revenue from legal notice advertisements if entities choose to publish primarily online.

Summary

SB2317, a bill amending the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically focuses on the requirements for publishing legal notices. Starting July 1, 2024, the bill mandates that any required legal notices also be published on a news and information website that meets certain criteria, alongside traditional newspaper publication. This is intended to modernize the dissemination of public notices by utilizing online platforms, making information more accessible to the public, especially in this digital age.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment towards SB2317 appears to be neutral to positive among supporters who argue that this amendment reflects the growing importance of digital media. Advocates for the bill believe it is a step towards ensuring transparency and accessibility of government information. However, there may be concerns from traditional media outlets regarding competition and financial impact, leading to a mixed reception from different sectors.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill may include debates over the adequacy of the online platforms as substitutes for newspapers, particularly regarding their ability to reach a broad audience and adhere to journalism standards. There is also the challenge of defining 'recognizable standards of professional journalism' and ensuring compliance from newer or smaller websites that may not have the same kind of established credibility as traditional media.