Wyoming House Bill HB0164

Wyoming 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/23
• Report Pass: 1/25/23

Caption

Legal notice publication on websites.

Impact

If enacted, HB0164 would amend existing state laws to incorporate digital platforms as mandatory outlets for legal notice publications. Currently, many legal notices are published solely in newspapers, which may not reach all segments of the population. By expanding the venues for publication to include online platforms, the bill is expected to improve public access to essential legal information. The broad goal is to create a more informed citizenry that can engage in civic matters more effectively, decreasing the likelihood of individuals being uninformed about legal proceedings that may affect them.

Summary

House Bill 0164 aims to modernize the process of publishing legal notices by requiring that they be published not only in traditional newspapers but also on a statewide website and the websites of the newspapers themselves. This initiative seeks to enhance transparency and accessibility of legal notices to the public. By allowing access to these notices online, the bill aims to ensure that all members of the community can be informed about important legal matters without being limited to print editions. The supporters of the bill argue that this change reflects a move towards adapting government processes in line with technological advancements.

Contention

While proponents advocate for the bill as a necessary step towards increased transparency and ease of access, there may be contention regarding the potential impacts on smaller newspapers that may struggle to maintain profitability with changing publishing paradigms. Opponents may argue that reliance on online platforms could alienate citizens who do not have easy access to the internet or who prefer traditional print media. This dual publication requirement could also lead to debates about the costs associated with such initiatives and whether they adequately support the sustainability of local news sources.