BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1062 89R13343 JBD-D By: Kolkhorst Local Government 3/17/2025 Committee Report (Substituted) AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 943 in the 88th Legislature required digital newspapers to digitally publish notices like the ones seen in printed newspapers to account for the changing consumption habits of consumers from print to digital editions. This bill, S.B. 1062, builds upon that previous bill by stating the types of digital newspapers that may publish notices. This bill provides a public service and generates digital newspapers revenue from the notices. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent) C.S.S.B. 1062 amends current law relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of public notices. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 2051.044, Government Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows: (b) Creates an exception under Subsection (b-1). (b-1) Authorizes a governmental entity, in lieu of publishing a notice in a newspaper under Subsection (b) (relating to requiring that the newspaper in which a notice is published meet certain criteria), to publish a notice in a digital newspaper if that digital newspaper: (1) has an audited paid-subscriber base; (2) has been in business for at least three years; (3) employs staff in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity; (4) reports on local events and governmental activities in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity; (5) provides news of general interest to people in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity; and (6) updates its news at least once a week. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1062
89R13343 JBD-D By: Kolkhorst
Local Government
3/17/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.S.B. 1062
89R13343 JBD-D
By: Kolkhorst
Local Government
3/17/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 943 in the 88th Legislature required digital newspapers to digitally publish notices like the ones seen in printed newspapers to account for the changing consumption habits of consumers from print to digital editions. This bill, S.B. 1062, builds upon that previous bill by stating the types of digital newspapers that may publish notices. This bill provides a public service and generates digital newspapers revenue from the notices.
(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)
C.S.S.B. 1062 amends current law relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of public notices.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 2051.044, Government Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:
(b) Creates an exception under Subsection (b-1).
(b-1) Authorizes a governmental entity, in lieu of publishing a notice in a newspaper under Subsection (b) (relating to requiring that the newspaper in which a notice is published meet certain criteria), to publish a notice in a digital newspaper if that digital newspaper:
(1) has an audited paid-subscriber base;
(2) has been in business for at least three years;
(3) employs staff in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity;
(4) reports on local events and governmental activities in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity;
(5) provides news of general interest to people in the jurisdiction of the governmental entity; and
(6) updates its news at least once a week.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.