A House of Delegates subcommittee on Thursday voted down House Bill 773, introduced by Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Augusta, that would make it optional for local governments in Virginia to publish various public notices in newspapers.
However, House Bill 1193, introduced by Del. Ron Villanueva, R-Virginia Beach, that would make it optional to publish local government procurement notices in newspapers, was revived by a subcommittee that had rejected it one week ago.
Local government groups including the Virginia Municipal League and Virginia Association of Counties have supported both bills, arguing the changes would save local governments money.
Opponents of the legislation include the Virginia Press Association and the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, along with several voter advocacy groups and professional and trade organizations.
Landes' bill would allow local governments to choose two methods of publicizing notices from among several options, including placing them in a local newspaper, on the locality's website, or on a public access channel; using an automated voice or text alert system; or posting notices at a local public library.
"Notice to the public is important, but it is also our responsibility to keep up with the times," Landes told the subcommittee, which rejected the bill after opponents raised concerns that the proposed options would not reach enough people who rely on print media for local government information, especially in rural areas.
The procurement notices bill, introduced by Villanueva, had failed to advance from a House General Laws subcommittee on Feb. 2.
The bill was a recommendation of Gov. Bob McDonnell's Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring. After a push by the administration this week to revive the bill, lawmakers on Thursday reconsidered it.
The subcommittee and full General Laws Committee advanced the bill Thursday. It now moves to the full House of Delegates.
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