87R14058 JTS-D
By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2006
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to publication and posting of notice by certain
governmental entities and representatives.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 2051,
Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER C. NOTICE BY PUBLICATION IN NEWSPAPER; REQUIRED
INTERNET ALTERNATIVE
SECTION 2. Section 2051.042(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) This subchapter applies only to notice that is required
or authorized by law other than this subchapter to be published in a
newspaper. The newspaper requirements of this subchapter apply
only to the extent that the other [general or special] law requiring
or authorizing the publication of a notice in a newspaper [by a
governmental entity or representative] does not specify the manner
of the publication, including the number of times that the notice is
required to be published and the period during which the notice is
required to be published.
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 2051, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2051.0421 to read as follows:
Sec. 2051.0421. REQUIRED INTERNET POSTING ALTERNATIVE FOR
NOTICE REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPER. (a) This section
applies only to a governmental entity that is a political
subdivision and a representative of a political subdivision. This
section does not apply to:
(1) a county with a population of less than 10,000;
(2) a municipality with a population of less than
5,000 located in a county with a population of less than 25,000; or
(3) another type of political subdivision with a
population of less than 5,000 in the subdivision's boundaries that
is located in a county with a population of less than 25,000.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by
Section 2051.042(b), a governmental entity or representative
required by other law to provide notice by publication in a
newspaper shall satisfy that requirement by posting the notice:
(1) on the governmental entity's or representative's
Internet website, if applicable; and
(2) on the Internet website of a newspaper that meets
the requirements of the law requiring notice.
(c) Internet website notice posted as required by this
section:
(1) to the extent possible, must meet requirements
provided by law for the publication of the newspaper notice that can
be applied to an Internet website posting, including requirements
related to the timing, duration, content, and appearance of the
notice; and
(2) is not required to meet requirements provided by
law for the publication of the newspaper notice that by their nature
cannot be applied to an Internet website posting, including
requirements relating to circulation.
(d) This subchapter may not be construed to require a
governmental entity or representative that is required to post
Internet notice under this section to also publish notice in a
newspaper.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.