Bill > HB1312

This bill introduces a comprehensive overhaul of public notice publication requirements in Indiana, establishing a state public notice website managed by the Indiana Office of Technology. Beginning July 1, 2026, the bill allows state agencies and smaller political subdivisions to publish public notices on this centralized website, with larger political subdivisions phasing in website publication by January 1, 2027. The new state public notice website must be free to use, searchable by various criteria like location and subject, and capable of sending email alerts to users. Newspapers and locality newspapers will still be able to publish notices in print or electronic editions, but they cannot charge fees for viewing electronic notices or require user registration. The Indiana Archives and Records Administration will be responsible for establishing standards to transfer and preserve these public notices for historical purposes. The bill also modifies existing laws about public notice publication, removing some previous restrictions on newspaper and locality newspaper notice requirements, and allowing more flexibility in how and where public notices can be published. Importantly, the website will maintain published notices for at least seven days, and in some cases longer depending on the specific publication requirements, ensuring continued public access to important governmental information.