The bill, HB0188, establishes a centralized electronic notice system to modernize the publication of public and legal notices, allowing governmental entities and individuals to publish these notices online instead of relying solely on traditional newspapers. The Secretary of State is responsible for creating and maintaining this system, which will be accessible on the official state website. Notices published electronically will satisfy existing legal publication requirements, and the Secretary of State will retain these notices for a minimum of seven years. The bill also allows for a fee of up to $10 for publishing notices on the system, which will help support its operation. Additionally, the bill sets a deadline of January 1, 2030, for all public and legal notices to be published electronically, while clarifying that if a notice is published on the electronic system, no further publication in a newspaper is necessary.

The bill includes several amendments to existing laws, specifying that notices related to various governmental actions, such as property assessments, elections, and public hearings, must be published on the centralized electronic notice system or in newspapers of general circulation. It outlines specific durations for publication, such as two or three consecutive weeks for certain notices, and emphasizes the importance of timely communication to ensure public awareness and participation. The bill aims to enhance transparency and accessibility of information, streamline the notification process, and reduce reliance on traditional print media, ultimately improving the efficiency of legal and governmental communications.