S.B. No. 1062 amends Section 2051.0441 of the Government Code to update the requirements for the type of newspaper in which public notices must be published. The bill specifies that, except as provided by a new subsection, the newspaper must devote at least 20 percent of its total column lineage to general interest items, be published weekly, have a significant circulation in the county, and have been in continuous publication for at least 12 months.

The new subsection allows governmental entities to publish notices in a digital newspaper instead of a traditional print newspaper, provided that the digital newspaper meets several criteria. These include having an audited paid-subscriber base, being in business for at least three years, employing local staff, reporting on local events and governmental activities, providing news of general interest, and updating its news at least once a week. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 2051.044 (Government Code 2051)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 2051.0441 (Government Code 2051)
Engrossed: Government Code 2051.0441 (Government Code 2051)
House Committee Report: Government Code 2051.0441 (Government Code 2051)
Enrolled: Government Code 2051.0441 (Government Code 2051)