Requiring the electronic publication of certain public notices by governmental bodies and officers and including effective date provisions

This bill provides for electronic publication of public notices. The bill provides that a governmental body or officer that is required by statute to publish a notice, action, or other information in a newspaper of general circulation shall, in lieu of such requirements, post the notice, action, or other information on the governmental body’s internet site, if the governmental body maintains an internet site. The bill requires each governmental body subject to the bill to, by rule, ordinance, resolution, or other official action, as appropriate, identify each type of notice, action, or information that shall be posted on the governmental body’s internet site in lieu of publication and to identify the location of the governmental body’s office where a paper copy of such notices, actions, or information will be available for public inspection. The bill requires a governmental body to provide a method by which persons may opt to receive notices, actions, or other information by electronic mail. Electronic mail addresses possessed by a governmental body for this purpose are not public records subject to disclosure under Code chapter (examination of public records). The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.