This bill amends and reenacts several sections of Louisiana's public printing laws, specifically R.S. 43:81(A), 140(3), 142, and 171(A)(2) and (3), while enacting new sections R.S. 43:81.1, 140.1, 140.2, 147.3, 171.1, 171.2, and 175. Key changes include the qualifications for a newspaper to be designated as the "Official Journal of the State" or for political subdivisions, with a significant reduction in the required publication period from five years to two years. The bill also introduces provisions for exceptions to publication requirements under certain circumstances, allowing newspapers that do not meet the frequency of publication to still be selected if they can publish notices within a specified timeframe. Additionally, it mandates that the official journal must include a statement of the costs charged to the state or political subdivision for published materials, without charging for this statement.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the issue of "news deserts" by establishing criteria for parishes with populations under 200,000 that lack eligible newspapers. In such cases, specific qualifications for newspapers to be selected as official journals are outlined, including publication frequency and circulation requirements. The bill repeals R.S. 43:171(B) entirely, streamlining the selection process for official journals. The provisions regarding cost statements for publications will take effect for information published on or after January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
HB977 Original: 43:81(A), 43:140(3), 43:171(A)(2), 43:171(B)
HB977 Engrossed: 43:81(A), 43:140(3), 43:171(A)(2), 43:171(B)
HB977 Reengrossed: 43:81(A), 43:140(3), 43:171(A)(2), 43:171(B)
HB977 Enrolled: 43:81(A), 43:140(3), 43:171(A)(2), 43:171(B)
HB977 Act : 43:81(A), 43:140(3), 43:171(A)(2), 43:171(B)