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House narrowly approves state-run public-notice website after heated debate, 36–32
Summary
Lawmakers approved House Bill 166 to create a central state public-notice website and allow staggered local adoption; supporters cited cost savings and broader access, while opponents warned about press freedom, historical record-keeping and government control of notices.
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho House passed House Bill 166 on Feb. 20 by a vote of 36 ayes to 32 nays (2 absent), approving the creation of a publicly accessible state website for government notices and a staged rollout that would let state agencies lead for two years before local governments may join.
Sponsor remarks framed the bill as a modernization effort: only about 9 percent of Idaho adults subscribe to a newspaper while roughly 90 percent have internet access, the sponsor said, and a centralized public-notice website would increase transparency and reduce what proponents called unnecessary publication costs. Supporters also said the measure could save taxpayers roughly $1…
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