Committee Approves E-Notices for Local Governments

Robbins' Bill to replace ads with internet postings would save tax dollars

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee today approved legislation introduced by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) that would give Pennsylvania local governments more flexibility in how they can meet public notice requirements.

Senate Bill 1087, the "Public Notice Modernization Act," which would give municipalities, school districts and local authorities the option to electronically publish legal notices on the internet in lieu of newspaper advertisement as is currently required by law.

"This is a step forward that will better serve the public, while saving tax dollars. A recent study by the Local Government Commission staff determined that local government entities could see a yearly savings of approximately $23 million in current advertising costs by electronically publishing legal notices," said Senator Robbins, who serves as Chairman of the Commission. "In addition to saving taxpayer dollars, this would provide more convenient access for citizens who want to keep track of the meetings in their school districts and municipalities and to follow the way local governments are spending their revenues."

Under the provisions of SB 1087, the types of notices which could be published electronically would include:

any meeting of the governing body of the government unit or its committees;
any ordinance or resolution;
any budget, auditor's report or financial statement;
any contract agreement, request for bids or proposals, or other documentation related to the procurement of supplies, services or construction;
any sale of real or personal property;
any proceeding requiring public notice in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code; and,
any proceeding requiring public notification in accordance with the applicable laws governing zoning or subdivision and land development in municipalities not subject to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

"The internet has become one of the primary sources of information for many people. By allowing local governments to post this information online, citizens will have convenient and immediate access to those notices that affect them directly," Senator Robbins said

SB 1087 would require that government units wanting to electronically publish legal notices would first have to publish a legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation for a minimum of once a week for four successive weeks to inform the public when legal notices will begin to be published electronically and the website address where the legal notices will be posted.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322