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Signed Into Law
Signed May 19, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB1062

Regular Session

Relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of public notices.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB1062: Government Affairs Overview

SB1062 ends the statutory monopoly of print newspapers for public notices effective September 1, 2025, allowing governmental entities to contract with "digital newspapers" that meet strict audit and staffing criteria. This creates a new revenue vertical for qualifying digital publishers while simultaneously requiring government vendors and developers to expand their regulatory monitoring protocols to include digital-only platforms to avoid missing critical RFPs or zoning alerts.

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Governmental Entities (Cities, Counties, School Districts, Special Districts)

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SB1062
Moderate
Relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of public notices.
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Governmental Entities
Primary Author: Sen. Lois Kolkhorst
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: July–August 2025 (Digital publishers must have audits and eligibility proofs ready for the municipal budgeting/contracting cycle prior to the effective date).
  • Agency Rulemaking: No central state agency rulemaking is mandated. However, individual municipalities and counties will establish local procurement standards and "Official Newspaper" designations starting Summer 2025.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Digital Publishers: Commission a third-party audit of your subscriber base immediately; self-reported metrics will not satisfy government procurement officers.
  • 2. Digital Publishers: Audit payroll records to confirm W-2 employees reside within target jurisdictions; convert contractors to employees if necessary to meet eligibility.
  • 3. Contractors & Developers: Update bid-capture software and manual review checklists to include digital-only newspapers in target counties effective September 1, 2025.
  • 4. Legal Counsel: If opposing a zoning or permit decision, investigate the "digital newspaper" used for the notice. If the publisher fails the 3-year or staffing criteria, the notice is legally defective, providing grounds to void the permit.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Digital Publishers: Must prepare Master Services Agreements (MSAs) that include indemnification clauses. If your publication is found non-compliant (e.g., flawed subscriber audit), the government will require you to indemnify them against legal challenges regarding "improper notice."
  • Employment Agreements: Digital publishers must review employment contracts. To qualify for a contract, you must "employ staff" in the jurisdiction. Reliance on 1099 independent contractors or remote staff outside the county will likely disqualify the entity.

Hiring/Training

  • Procurement & Compliance Teams: Staff responsible for tracking government RFPs, zoning variances, and permit hearings must be retrained to monitor designated digital newspapers. Reliance on legacy print media is no longer sufficient.
  • Publishers: May need to adjust hiring practices to ensure W-2 staff are physically domiciled within the specific jurisdictions where they intend to bid on notice contracts.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Vendor Eligibility Dossier: Digital publishers must compile and maintain:
  • 1. Certified Subscriber Audit: Proof of a paid-subscriber base.
  • 2. Longevity Proof: Articles of Incorporation or tax filings proving continuous operation for at least three years.
  • 3. Staffing Verification: Redacted payroll records proving local employment.

Fees & Costs

  • Audit Expenses: Digital publishers must budget for annual or periodic third-party audits of subscriber numbers.
  • Subscription Costs: Businesses tracking notices may need to purchase subscriptions to multiple digital outlets to ensure full coverage of regulatory alerts.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Audited Paid-Subscriber Base": The statute does not define the accounting standard (e.g., GAAP, AAM) or the required auditor credentials. Guidance: Publishers should utilize a licensed third-party CPA firm to produce this report to withstand competitor challenges.
  • "Employs Staff": The law does not define a minimum Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) count. Risk: Relying on a single part-time employee to satisfy the "local presence" requirement creates high litigation risk. If a court finds the staffing "de minimis," the public notice—and the resulting government action—could be voided.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Feb 3, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Passed House
May 2, 2025
Signed
May 19, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsCity GovernmentCity Government--generalCommunications & PressCounty GovernmentCounty Government--generalEmail & Electronic CommunicationsPublic Notice
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Lois KolkhorstRepublican · Primary Author
Coauthors (1)

House Sponsor

Rep. John SmitheeRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1062

Q

What does Texas SB1062 do?

SB1062 ends the statutory monopoly of print newspapers for public notices effective September 1, 2025, allowing governmental entities to contract with "digital newspapers" that meet strict audit and staffing criteria. This creates a new revenue vertical for qualifying digital publishers while simultaneously requiring government vendors and developers to expand their regulatory monitoring protocols to include digital-only platforms to avoid missing critical RFPs or zoning alerts.

Q

Who authored SB1062?

SB1062 was authored by Texas Senator Lois Kolkhorst during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB1062 signed into law?

SB1062 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 19, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB1062?

SB1062 is enforced by Governmental Entities (Cities, Counties, School Districts, Special Districts).

Q

How significant are the changes in SB1062?

The regulatory priority for SB1062 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB1062?

The cost impact of SB1062 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB1062 address?

SB1062 addresses topics including city government, city government--general, communications & press, county government and county government--general.

Q

What are the key dates for SB1062?

Key dates for SB1062: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026