Indiana Newspapers Rally at Statehouse to Oppose Public Notice Bill

By Sharon Estep

Publishers, editors, reporters, advertising staff, and subscribers gathered at the Indiana Statehouse on March 19 for Newspaper Advocacy Day, an event aimed at demonstrating the vitality and importance of local newspapers across the state.

Organized by the Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA), the event was created to highlight the essential role newspapers play in informing Hoosiers and providing jobs throughout the state. HSPA represents more than 130 newspapers across Indiana.

The event also served as a platform to voice concerns over House Bill 1312, a proposal that would make publishing government public notices in newspapers optional. Instead, notices could be posted on a state-run website, shifting the responsibility onto citizens to search for information that is currently in printed papers.

Authored by Representative Jennifer Meltzer (R-Shelbyville), the bill passed the House in February with a 57-36 vote. It offers four initial options for posting public notices: a print newspaper, a newspaper website, a political subdivision's website, or the state's public notice site. However, starting in July 2026, counties with populations under 50,000 would be required to post exclusively on the state site.

Meltzer argues that the change would improve government transparency, but Amelia McClure, Executive Director of HSPA says, “It's like a fox guarding the henhouse...where's the check and balance? There is none.”

In addition to transparency concerns, critics point to practical and financial issues. The state's fiscal report estimates the proposed website would cost between $337,000 to $800,000 to build, plus possibly hiring up to four state employees, each making approximately $104,000 annually.

Approximately 25% of Hoosiers still lack internet access. These citizens would be cut off from important public notices under the proposed change.

Publicnoticeindiana.com is a free website that aggregates notices from the newspapers statewide.

The bill is currently being considered by the Senate Local Government Committee which held it for possible amendments during a hearing held in early March. A vote has not yet been scheduled.