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Committee introduces RS31961 to centralize public notices online; state controller estimates upfront development cost
Summary
Representative Jeff Ehlers presented RS31961 to let government entities post statutorily required notices on a centralized state controller website, add public-works listings, and allow user subscriptions; the state controller provided an estimate of roughly $570,000 to modify existing systems.
Representative Jeff Ehlers, the sponsor, told the House State Affairs Committee that RS31961 would allow entities that are required by statute to publish notices to instead post them on a central, state-controlled website. "The state controller already has the infrastructure built with Town Hall Idaho," Ehlers said, and the RS directs the controller's office to implement a staggered rollout that would let entities opt to publish notices on a centralized site (an example name used in testimony was publicnotices.idaho.gov).
Ehlers said the measure would also permit publication of public-works project notices in the registry (it would not replace the formal bidding process but would centralize electronic notification) and would let users subscribe to geofenced notifications — for example, alerts for notices within a one- or two-mile radius of an address. He said the controller's office recommended a phased implementation and that users could receive push-style electronic notifications when new notices are posted.
Committee members asked about cost and implementation. Ehlers said the state controller's staff spent several days preparing estimates and provided a development estimate of about $570,000 to modify existing infrastructure so it can accept the different type of notice content and support subscription and notification features. Ehlers said he would invite the controller's office to testify at a future hearing with detailed cost and technical answers.
Representative Dygert moved to introduce RS31961 for printing. After brief discussion, the committee approved introduction by voice vote. The RS will be printed and scheduled for a future hearing where the controller's office and local governments can answer detailed implementation and fiscal questions.
