H 7370Cities & Towns

Towns and Cities - Burrillville and Glocester Public Notice Act

Allows Burrillville and Glocester to publish public notices on digital platforms instead of traditional newspapers starting in 2027.

Held for study

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Affected

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Introduced Jan 28, 2026Committee House Municipal Government & Housing

Plain-English Summary

This bill allows the towns of Burrillville and Glocester to modernize their public notice requirements. Under current law, municipalities are typically required to publish official notices in a traditional public newspaper. Effective January 1, 2027, this legislation permits these two specific towns to publish such notices in any newspaper in general circulation within their borders, or on an alternative digital or print platform chosen by the town council.

To utilize an alternative digital or print platform, the town council must be able to reasonably demonstrate that the chosen platform reaches a larger portion of the local population than a traditional newspaper in general circulation.

The legislation aims to adapt to changing media consumption habits, acknowledging that digital platforms may offer better visibility for public announcements than print media. By granting town councils the flexibility to choose the most effective communication channels, the bill seeks to improve civic engagement and potentially reduce the costs associated with mandatory print advertising.

For younger readers

Right now, towns have to put important announcements in printed newspapers. This bill would let the towns of Burrillville and Glocester put those announcements on websites or other digital places instead, as long as more people will see them there.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Residents of Burrillville and GlocesterLocal newspapers and print mediaTown councils of Burrillville and GlocesterLocal taxpayers

Impacted communities

BurrillvilleGlocester

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. This is a standard adjustment to municipal governance and administrative procedures within the state's authority.

Estimated cost

Not specified (likely to result in savings for the municipalities)

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Modernizes government communication to meet people where they actually consume information.
Increases accessibility for residents who rely on digital platforms rather than paid print newspapers.
Environmentally friendly by potentially reducing the reliance on printed paper.
May exclude elderly or low-income residents who lack reliable internet access or digital literacy.
Reduces a reliable revenue stream (mandatory public notices) for struggling local journalism and newspapers.
The phrase 'reasonably demonstrated' is vague and could lead to less transparency if not strictly enforced.

For Conservatives

Reduces regulatory burdens on municipalities by providing flexibility in how they operate.
Likely saves taxpayer money by allowing towns to use cheaper digital alternatives instead of expensive print ads.
Increases local control by allowing town councils to decide the best way to reach their own residents.
Could reduce government transparency if digital platforms chosen by the council are obscure or hard to navigate.
Harms local traditional businesses (newspapers) by removing a consistent source of advertising revenue.
Gives town councils broad discretion over where to post notices, which could be manipulated for political advantage.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 8 additions

SECTION 1. Title 45 of the General Laws entitled "TOWNS AND CITIES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 45-71-1. Burrillville and Glocester public notice requirements. Notwithstanding any public or general law to the contrary, effective January 1, 2027, whenever it is required under this title or any other provision of the general laws that any notice or publication be published by the town of Burrillville or the town of Glocester, in a public newspaper, the notice may be published in any newspaper in general circulation within either of the municipalities or other designated digital or print platform selected by the town council of either municipality, which may be reasonably demonstrated to reach a larger portion of the population within each such municipality, than a newspaper in general circulation.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.