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Committee considers HB 4506 to let municipalities offer electronic zoning notices by opt-in
Summary
House Bill 4506 would let municipalities provide zoning public-hearing notices electronically to residents who opt in and require an online portal; sponsor cited municipal mailing cost examples from Austin and Dallas.
Senators laid out House Bill 4,506, sponsored in the House by Representative Bonham and presented in the Senate by the Senate sponsor, as described in committee. The bill would permit municipalities to deliver notice of public hearings on zoning changes electronically—by email or text—to recipients who opt in through an online portal maintained by the municipality.
The senator presenting the bill said the proposal is voluntary for municipalities and voluntary for residents; it does not require citizens to receive notices electronically. The sponsor said paper mail can be delayed or misplaced and that digital notices would help ensure timely receipt of information.
The presenter cited city mailing-cost examples to illustrate potential savings, saying, “In 2023, the city of Austin spent a total of $315,000 just on mailing zoning notices. In 2021, the city of Dallas spent, roughly $125,000 on mailing zoning notices.” He emphasized the bill includes an opt-in portal so residents would not be enrolled without consent.
The committee opened public testimony, heard none, and left House Bill 4,506 pending subject to call of the chair.
