This bill amends Arkansas law to modernize the publication requirements for counties and municipalities, particularly concerning public notices for elections and municipal ordinances. Effective January 1, 2028, it mandates that notices previously published in newspapers of general circulation will now be published on a designated website, as defined in Arkansas Code 14-14-117. This change applies to various official announcements, including election changes and public notices, thereby enhancing the communication methods used by local governments. The bill also introduces provisions for the publication of municipal ordinances and financial statements online, ensuring these documents remain accessible for at least three years and requiring proof of publication to be delivered to relevant officials.

Furthermore, the bill allows for the publication of advertisements and notices on independent third-party websites instead of traditional newspapers. It defines a "website" as a publicly accessible site that does not require user information or login and mandates that all publications be on a Legislative Council-approved third-party website that charges a commercially reasonable rate. The bill also shifts the responsibility for publishing delinquent personal property tax lists and real property tax notices from newspapers to websites, detailing the necessary information to be included in these lists. Temporary provisions ensure that counties or municipalities transitioning to website publication will continue to publish notices in newspapers for one year, facilitating a gradual shift to the new system.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1399 Original - 2-9-2023 03:44 PM: 7-5-101(e), 7-5-202(a), 7-5-202(b), 7-5-207(c), 7-5-509(a), 7-5-515(c), 7-5-516, 14-14-117, 7-5-611(b), 7-7-305(b), 7-11-103(b), 7-11-104(b), 7-11-202(b), 7-11-203(b), 14-14-905(b), 14-14-905(d), 14-14-917(c), 14-55-206(a), 14-59-116, 14-55-209, 26-36-203, 26-37-102(a)
Old version HB1399 V2 - 2-14-2023 10:27 AM: 7-5-101(e), 7-5-202(a), 7-5-202(b), 7-5-207(c), 7-5-509(a), 7-5-515(c), 7-5-516, 14-14-117, 7-5-611(b), 7-7-305(b), 7-11-103(b), 7-11-104(b), 7-11-202(b), 7-11-203(b), 14-14-905(b), 14-14-905(d), 14-14-917(c), 14-55-206(a), 14-59-116, 14-55-209, 26-36-203, 02-14-2023, 26-37-102(a)
Old version HB1399 V3 - 3-2-2023 09:36 AM: 7-5-202(a), 7-5-202(b), 7-5-207(c), 7-5-509(a), 7-5-516, 14-14-117, 03-02-2023, 7-7-305(b), 7-11-103(b), 7-11-104(b), 7-11-202(b), 7-11-203(b), 14-14-917(c), 14-55-206(a), 14-59-116, 14-55-209, 26-36-203, 26-37-102(a)
HB 1399: 7-5-202(a), 7-5-202(b), 7-5-207(c), 7-5-509(a), 7-5-516, 14-14-117, 03-02-2023, 7-7-305(b), 7-11-103(b), 7-11-104(b), 7-11-202(b), 7-11-203(b), 14-14-917(c), 14-55-206(a), 14-59-116, 14-55-209, 26-36-203, 26-37-102(a)