This bill amends Chapter 1, Title 60 of the Idaho Code to establish provisions for electronic publication of public notices. A new section, 60-106B, is introduced, allowing individuals, governmental entities, and businesses to publish required notices on the state controller's website instead of in newspapers, provided all legal requirements are met. The bill ensures that electronically published notices will have the same legal effect as those published in print. It also mandates that minimum publishing dates and duration requirements for print notices apply to electronic publications. Additionally, the state controller is tasked with facilitating the electronic publication process and ensuring public access to these notices free of charge.

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, and removing the previous requirement that mailing costs must be less than other publication methods for it to be considered legal notice. Furthermore, the bill repeals an earlier version of Section 60-106B related to electronic publication and establishes a staggered implementation schedule for the new electronic publication program, with full operational capability required by January 1, 2027. An emergency clause is included, making certain sections effective immediately upon passage.

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