Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves substitute limiting newspaper notice requirements for small local districts; debate highlights access concerns
Summary
Third substitute S.B. 85 passed after sponsors said it reflected compromise with newspapers and counties: local and special service districts with budgets under $250,000 are no longer required to publish legal notices in print and may use online notice; larger districts may choose newspaper or direct mail. Supporters framed it as burden relief; critics warned of lost public access and special‑interest influence.
The Utah House passed third substitute S.B. 85 on March 10 after sponsors described the language as a negotiated compromise between newspapers and county associations. The substitute exempts local and special service districts with total budgets under $250,000 from mandatory newspaper notice, allowing those districts to post notices online instead.
Representative Dawe, sponsor of the substitute, said the change follows negotiations and aims to reduce the burden on small districts while preserving options for larger entities. "For local and special service districts whose total budget is less than $250,000 they have no requirement to notice in a newspaper but can do theirs strictly online," Dawe said on the floor.
Representative Powell, who said he had been lobbied by newspaper interests, urged support and acknowledged the political dynamics behind the bill. "The lobbyists have done a good job of convincing me... that passing the bill will be beneficial to them, to me, oh, and also to the citizens of Utah," Powell said, noting the messy nature of legislative compromise.
Opponents and some members cautioned that not all residents have internet access and that mandating online notice could reduce practical access to government information in some communities. Representative Watkins highlighted the digital‑access gap, warning that "there are still people who do not have computers and have the ability to get things online." The substitute allows larger counties and districts to opt for newspaper or direct mail notice.
The House adopted the substitution and amendments and then passed the bill 59–13; the bill will be returned to the Senate. Sponsors characterized the package as a balance between preserving some print notice for larger entities and reducing costs for small local governments.
Next steps: S.B. 85 will be returned to the Senate for further consideration; counties and special districts will need to review notice procedures under the new threshold and choices.
