PUBLIC NOTICES – Adds to existing law to establish provisions allowing certain governmental entities to publish abbreviated public notices in newspapers in lieu of full public notices.

This bill allows Idaho counties, cities, and school districts to publish shorter versions of public notices in newspapers instead of full notices, as long as they include the entity name, a description of the notice, meeting details, and a link or QR code to the full notice online. The abbreviated notices carry the same legal weight as full newspaper notices, but entities must still send the complete notice to the Newspaper Association of Idaho for posting on its website. Local governments retain the option to publish full notices in newspapers if they choose, and the law takes effect on September 1, 2026.