LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: HB 977 HLS 24RS 2967
Bill Text Version: ENROLLED
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.: HB 680
Date: May 28, 2024 9:14 AM Author: CARLSON
Dept./Agy.: Division of Administration/State Register/Statewide
Subject: Official Journal Analyst: Kimberly Fruge
PUBLIC PRINTING EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX Page 1 of 1
Provides for official journals for the state and political subdivisions and for publishing legal notices
Current law requires the state to select a newspaper as the “Official Journal of the State” and requires the paper be
published in Baton Rouge, for at least six days per week, and have an audited paid daily circulation of not less than 10,000
for at least one year prior to the time the contract is awarded. Proposed law changes the restrictions by removing the
requirement that the paper be published in Baton Rouge, only requires the paper to be published once per week, and
removes the requirement to have an audited paid daily circulation. Proposed law requires the cost of publication to be
included in the publication at no additional cost to the state agency or local government.
Proposed law also provides for various changes to the selection of the official journal for political subdivisions, parishes,
municipalities, and school boards including: allowing for an expanded required publication period in certain circumstances;
providing special cases for new deserts; and, adjusts the qualifications for local newspapers.
EXPENDITURES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW
Annual Total
REVENUES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION
Proposed law may result in cost savings for the state (depicted as SGF only for purposed of this fiscal note, but potentially
impacting all means of finance) and local government expenditures. Proposed law adjusts various requirements for the
selection of the Official Journal for both the state and local government units. If the various adjustments provided for in
proposed law allow the state or local government units to select a newspaper that charges less than what they are currently
using, then costs to the state or local governments will decrease accordingly. Any such cost savings is indeterminable at this
time.
REVENUE EXPLANATION
There is no anticipated direct material effect on governmental revenues as a result of this measure.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} 6.8(F)(1) >= $100,000 SGF Fiscal Cost {H & S}
Patrice Thomas
13.5.2 >= $500,000 Annual Tax or Fee 6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Deputy Fiscal Officer


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)