INDIANAPOLIS — Public notices in newspapers about local government actions could disappear or be greatly scaled back under proposals that Indiana legislators are considering.
Supporters say the proposals could cuts costs for city, county and township governments and school districts by allowing them to post the notices to their websites rather than pay for publication in local newspapers.
A House committee has advanced a bill allowing online-only posting of notices, while a Senate committee has backed a version requiring only a single newspaper publication when two or more notices are required by state law.
The Hoosier State Press Association argues publishing notices in newspapers about government budgets, tax rates, tax sales and meeting times makes them available in one location for the public rather than having to check multiple websites. The publishers group says that state law already requires newspapers to charge lower advertising rates for publishing the notices.
Bill sponsor Rep. Doug Miller of Elkhart said he believed technological changes have eliminated the need for printed notices.
