Senate votes to make posting legal notice of meetings easier; newspaper industry objects

Public notices help keep government transparent—but where should they appear? The North Dakota Senate narrowly passed a bill allowing state agencies to hold meetings even if a required newspaper notice isn’t published, as long as it’s posted on the Secretary of State’s website. Supporters say this prevents meetings from being delayed over printing errors. Opponents worry it’s a step toward eliminating newspaper notices altogether, which most North Dakotans still prefer. With the bill now heading to the House, the debate over public access isn’t over. The Bismarck Tribune has the full story; bill details can be found below.