This bill amends Chapter 1 of Title 60 of the Idaho Code to introduce provisions for electronic publication of public notices. A new section, 60-106B, is added, allowing individuals, governmental entities, and businesses to publish required notices electronically on the state controller's website instead of in newspapers. The bill stipulates that these electronic publications will have the same legal effect as traditional newspaper publications, provided all requirements are met. It also mandates that minimum publishing dates and duration requirements for print publications apply to electronic notices. Additionally, the state controller is tasked with ensuring public access to these electronic publications free of charge and must implement a subscription feature for users to receive notifications about public meetings.

The bill also amends Section 60-109A to revise the provisions regarding legal notice publication by first-class mail, allowing notices to be included with regular mailings, such as utility bills, if the cost of mailing is less than other publication methods. Furthermore, the existing Section 60-106B related to electronic publication is repealed, and a new version is established with updated language and requirements. The bill declares an emergency, making certain sections effective immediately upon passage, while others will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 60-109A, 60-106B