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Committee introduces RS31961 to allow central electronic posting of public notices; fiscal and access questions raised
Summary
Representative Jeff Ehlers introduced RS31961 to permit government entities to publish statutorily required notices on a central state website (Town Hall/State Controller infrastructure). The committee approved introduction and members raised questions about cost estimates, implementation timeline and how rural residents would access notices.
Representative Jeff Ehlers told the House State Affairs Committee RS31961 would allow entities required by statute to publish notices to instead post them on a central state-managed website hosted by the State Controller’s office, using existing Town Hall Idaho infrastructure.
Ehlers said the proposal would permit (but not require) electronic publication in a centralized registry and would let users subscribe for notifications for areas of interest. "We anticipate this can bring more competition to these public projects if contractors know there's a central place they can go for the whole state to look at the different projects," Ehlers said. He also said the measure would allow some notices to be delivered using regular mailings already sent by local governments (for example, utility statements) rather than separate mailed inserts.
Committee members pressed staff about the fiscal estimate for building out the system. Representative Barbieri asked how the sponsor arrived at a $570,000 estimate; Ehlers said the State Controller’s office provided the estimate and that the office expects to stagger implementation and requested time to build the receiving and subscription features. Members flagged the risk that integration and development could cost more given recent challenges in software projects. Ehlers said he would invite State Controller staff to a future hearing for more detailed technical and fiscal testimony.
Members also asked about access for residents in small or rural counties. Representative Deigert and others asked how an "average person" would find notices; Ehlers and others said a central public-notices site (for example, publicnotices.idaho.gov) would be publicized and local jurisdictions could link to it from their own sites or include information in utility mailings.
Representative Deigert moved to introduce RS31961 for printing; the motion passed on a voice vote. The committee completed its agenda and adjourned. No public testimony was recorded at this meeting.
