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Minutes for HB2247 - Committee on Local Government
Short Title
Authorizing legal publications on internet websites.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 14, 2017
Chairperson opened the hearing on the bill.
Mike Heim presented an overview on the bill.
Representative Steiwert presented testimony in support of the bill stating if we truly plan to cut government spending, it is necessary to make it easier for agencies to cut their budgets with expenses by using internet and social media.(Attachment 1)
Cindy Green presented testimony in support of the bill supporting the option to designate an internet website as the official publication source for the city. (Attachment 2)
Melissa Wangemann presented testimony in support of compromise legislation with the press to address publication costs in newspapers. (Attachment 3)
Rob Gilligan presented testimony in support of information on a website of the district's choosing, whereas the district's emergency safety intervention policy must be posted on each school's website. (Attachment 4)
Stuart Little submitted written testimony only in favor of the bill. (Attachment 5)
Crystal Addis submitted written testimony only in favor of the bill.(Attachment 6)
Nolan Sunderman submitted written testimony only in favor of the bill.(Attachment 7)
Riley Scott presented testimony in opposition to the bill stating public notices would not be noticed on a local government website, because no one visits a local government website on a regular basis.(Attachment 8)
Doug Anstaett presented testimony in opposition to the bill stating public notices in newspapers are a necessary major part of communication. Government controls should not extend to publication oriented newspapers. Newspapers provide a verifiable public record through sworn affidavits of publication that have been accepted for decades as adequate notice in a court of law. This is a check and balance system that the internet is unable to provide. He is speaking in opposition for an additional 16 other Kansas newspaper editors.(Attachment 9)
Linda Denning submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill.(Attachment 10)
David Powls submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 11)
Rudy Taylor submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 12)
Tammy Seimears submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 13)
Chris Walker submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill.(Attachment 14)
Paul Rhodes submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 15)
David Seaton submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill.(Attachment 16)
Clarke Davis submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill.(Attachment 17)
Beth Day submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 18)
Scott Stanford submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill.(Attachment 19)
Eric Meyer submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 20)
Dan Thalmann submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill.(Attachment 21)
Joey Young submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 22)
Lori Daniel submitted written testimony only in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 23)
Discussion concerns were expressed that any legal publication would not be required, but rather could be posted by one or both options; internet or newspaper publication. Technology is currently used by 85% of the population. Newspapers may consider the usefulness of a link to a website for utilizing both forms. Internet announcements would not be considered a loss of transparency. Newspaper rates for public notifications are required to have the best possible rate offered for government legal notices.
Chairperson Williams closed the hearing on the bill.
