Trying to get notices into the Eagle Pass newspaper. Amends Gov't Code 2051.0441, counties with no newspaper. Allows local government to name newspaper of record. Same bill was filed last session, but didn’t get a hearing.

3/15/23: Discussed HB 3117, a bill to fix the problem with Eagle Pass and Maverick County notices having to run in San Antonio Express-News, 140 miles away. The bill could present unintended consequences. We suggested they amend the bill to the language that Fannin County used to carve out an exception. Aaron will contact Leg. Council to see about amending. Yvonne will be our contact 512-463-2910.

3/21 Follow up with Yvonne, She is waiting on Leg. Council for committee substitute. Chief of Staff Aaron Gibson requested a carve out like Fannin County has.

Contains newspaper notice language,

Companion is SB 1457 by Zaffirini

Contains Newspaper Notice language

Companion is HB 3184 by Senfronia Thompson

Contains newspaper notice - Monitor for Amendments

Reid’s input: It looks like SB 985 does eliminate some newspaper notice regarding zoning changes. As Mike pointed out, this notice is currently required when a zoning change occurs within 200 feet of annexed property that doesn’t appear on a municipality’s tax roll. Instead of newspaper notice, a municipality could just send written notice to the most recent address on the tax roll. I’m not sure how often that comes into play.  

This bill does not change the underlying newspaper notice requirement for zoning regulations and district boundaries in Sec. 211.006(a): 

Sec. 211.006.  PROCEDURES GOVERNING ADOPTION OF ZONING REGULATIONS AND DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.  (a)  The governing body of a municipality wishing to exercise the authority relating to zoning regulations and zoning district boundaries shall establish procedures for adopting and enforcing the regulations and boundaries.  A regulation or boundary is not effective until after a public hearing on the matter at which parties in interest and citizens have an opportunity to be heard.  Before the 15th day before the date of the hearing, notice of the time and place of the hearing must be published in an official newspaper or a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality.

There is already some leeway given to municipalities in Sec. 211.007, regarding the manner of public notice when a zoning commission is involved:

(d)  The governing body of a home-rule municipality may, by a two-thirds vote, prescribe the type of notice to be given of the time and place of a public hearing held jointly by the governing body and the zoning commission.  If notice requirements are prescribed under this subsection, the notice requirements prescribed by Subsections (b) and (c) and by Section 211.006(a) do not apply.

Changes some notifications - monitor 

3/15/23: Reviewed HB 3492 again. The bill requires counties and municipalities to disclose information related to subdivision construction online. If no website, then publish it in the newspaper. The requirement is new, no newspaper notice is removed in the bill. The bill actually increases transparency.

We removed the bill from our list.

Targets sexual materials materials to minors on the Internet. Current language excludes news gathering organizations. 

Identical bill to HB 3585 by Teri Leo-Wilson 

Companion is SB 2164

Targets sexual materials materials to minors on the Internet. Current language excludes news gathering organizations. 

Identical bill to HB 3570 by Schatzline 

Companion is SB 2164

Need more info. This sets up a public database, but “deidentifies suspects on the database. Companion is SB 875 by West

3/21 met with Natoya who suggests we set up meeting w/ Andre Treiber, chief of staff to get better understanding of bill. Need to set appointment soon.

3/23 Met with folks from the Bail Project and the Texas ACLU. They explained that this bill will be useful for investigative reporters who are doing statistical analyses of bail practices, and that the aggregated “deidentified” data doesn’t endanger public access to identities of suspects through the usual normal channels.

We do not need to take a position

This sets up a public database, but “deidentifies suspects on the database. Companion is HB 2043 by Bowers.

3/23 Met with folks from the Bail Project and the Texas ACLU. They explained that this bill will be useful for investigative reporters who are doing statistical analyses of bail practices, and that the aggregated “deidentified” data doesn’t endanger public access to identities of suspects through the usual normal channels.

We do not need to take a position

Can a clerk just modify a record because someone asks? Reid: "I do think that's what it means. It would have to be someone who fits the definition in 552.114 and would have to be the kind of information that's described there. But if it fits the bill, the this bill would require the clerk to redact at their request. Might be worth having a conversation with the author.

3/15/23 We further reviewed the bill and concluded that the bill did no harm and removed it from our list.

3/15/23 Reviewed HB 3699 again. We concluded that the bill does not remove any current newspaper notice, but rather increases transparency in municipal approval of subdivision plans by putting certain documentation online.

We removed bill from our list.

This bill would increase access to public information by eliminating some of the privileges that currently allow for withholding. The “basic information” piece would make clear that basic information about an incident (which the press has a right to) is not limited to just arrests and crimes, but would apply to incidents that don’t necessarily result in an arrest. The last section regarding “video” would ensure that audio recordings aren’t subject to the stricter standards for releasing body cams.

Companion is HB 3334 by Canales.

Converts Comptroller's State Business Daily into the Electronic State Business Daily. Watch this one CLOSELY!

"Secure digital original" means an original digital deposition transcript in a readable format that cannot be altered, printed, or saved.

Targets sexual materials materials to minors on the Internet. Current language excludes news gathering organizations. Similar to HB 3570 and HB 3585.

Substitute retains exception for news gathering organizations

Meet with author to amend. Reid's review: There is a notice requirement for these sales in Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 647: The time and place of sale of real estate ... shall be ... published ... three consecutive weeks ...in newspaper. 

This bill gives commissioners courts authority to set rules for online auctions and might pose a threat to public notice. Have author add a provision that this bill does not trump the requirements of Rule 647.

Companion is HB 1382 by Ana Hernandez. 3/21 met with Hernandez chief of staff - bill does not affect public notice. 

Targets sexual materials materials to minors on the Internet. Current language excludes news gathering organizations. 

Companion to HB 3570 by Schatzline and HB 3570 by Leo-Wilson

Includes new newspaper notice.