SF 2434 (LSB 5337SV (2) 91)

SENATE FILE 2434

BY  COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3175)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to local government, including the approval of action by ordinance and posting of public notices, and including applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

DIVISION I
PROHIBITION ON ACTION WITHOUT APPROVAL BY ORDINANCE

    Section 1.  Section 331.301, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  30.  a.  A county department, office, or other subunit shall not adopt, implement, or enforce an internal policy or rule unless the following conditions are met:
   (1)  The policy or rule has been submitted to the board of supervisors for approval.
   (2)  The policy or rule has been approved by ordinance adopted by the board of supervisors.
   b.  Any ordinance approved by a county under this subsection shall be accompanied by a cost analysis that presents the cost to taxpayers and businesses and any other economic impacts of the ordinance and shall be made accessible to the public on the official internet site of the county.
    Sec. 2.  Section 364.3, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  24.  a.  A city department, office, or other subunit shall not adopt, implement, or enforce an internal policy or rule unless the following conditions are met:
   (1)  The policy or rule has been submitted to the council for approval.
   (2)  The policy or rule has been approved by ordinance adopted by the council.
   b.  Any ordinance approved by a city under this subsection shall be accompanied by a cost analysis that presents the cost to taxpayers and businesses and any other economic impacts of the ordinance and shall be made accessible to the public on the official internet site of the city. If the city does not have an official internet site, the information shall be published on the internet site of the county in which the city is located. If the city is located in more than one county, the information shall be published on the internet site of the county in which the largest population of the city resides.
    Sec. 3.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to all policies, rules, and ordinances adopted or implemented on or after the effective date of this division of this Act.
DIVISION II
PUBLIC NOTICE IN NEWSPAPERS —— REQUIREMENT ELIMINATED

    Sec. 4.  Section 6B.2A, subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   The Except as provided in chapter 618, the acquiring agency shall cause a notice to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city where the agricultural land is located. The notice shall be published at least four but no more than twenty days before the public hearing is held as referred to in subsection 1. The published notice shall, at a minimum, include the following information:
    Sec. 5.  Section 24.2A, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   4.  a.  Each political subdivision shall set a time and place for a public hearing on the political subdivision’s proposed property tax amount for the budget year and the political subdivision’s information included in the statements under subsection 2. The proposed property tax hearing shall be set on a date on or after March 20 of the budget year immediately preceding the budget year for which the tax is being proposed. At the hearing, the governing body of the political subdivision shall receive oral or written testimony from any resident or property owner of the political subdivision. This public hearing shall be separate from any other meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision, including any other meeting or public hearing relating to the political subdivision’s budget, and other business of the political subdivision that is not related to the proposed property tax amounts and the information in the statements shall not be conducted at the public hearing. After all testimony has been received and considered, the governing body may decrease, but not increase, the proposed property tax amount to be included in the political subdivision’s budget.
   b.  (1)  If the political subdivision is a county, notice of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing in the county newspapers selected under chapter 349.
   (2)  If the political subdivision is a city, notice of the public hearing shall be published pursuant to section 362.3 in a newspaper published at least once weekly and having general circulation in the city. However, if the city has a population of two hundred or less, publication may be made by posting in three public places in the city.
   (3)  If the political subdivision is a school district, notice of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing in a newspaper published in the school district, if any, and if not, then in a newspaper of general circulation in the school district.
   (4)  Failure of a newspaper to publish a required notice under this paragraph shall not be considered a failure of a political subdivision to provide required notice under this paragraph if all of the following conditions are met:
   (a)  Notice of the public hearing was provided to each property owner and each taxpayer within the political subdivision in statements required under subsection 2, paragraph “b”.
   (b)  The political subdivision can demonstrate to the county auditor that the political subdivision provided sufficient time for the newspaper to publish the notice.
   c.  b.  (1)  Notice of the hearing shall also be posted and clearly identified on the political subdivision’s official internet site for public viewing beginning on the date of the newspaper publication, as provided in chapter 618, and shall be maintained on the political subdivision’s official internet site with all such prior year notices. Additionally, if the political subdivision maintains a social media account on one or more social media applications, the public hearing notice or an electronic link to the public hearing notice shall be posted on each such account on a date no later than the date of publication of the notice.
   (2)  (a)  If the political subdivision is a county, notice of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing.
   (b)  If the political subdivision is a city, notice of the public hearing shall be published not less than four nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing.
   (c)  If the political subdivision is a school district, notice of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing.
    Sec. 6.  Section 24.9, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Each municipality shall file with the secretary or clerk thereof the estimates required to be made in sections 24.3 through 24.8, at least twenty days before the date fixed by law for certifying the same to the levying board and shall forthwith fix a date for a hearing on the estimates, and shall publish such estimates and any annual levies previously authorized as provided in section 76.2, with a notice of the time when and the place where such hearing shall be held not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the hearing. Provided that in municipalities of less than two hundred population such estimates and the notice of hearing shall be posted in three public places in the district in lieu of publication. For any other municipality such Such publication shall be in a newspaper published in the municipality, if any, if not, then in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 7.  Section 26A.3, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  The request for statements of qualifications shall be posted not less than thirteen and not more than forty-five days before the date for response in a relevant contractor plan room service with statewide circulation, in a relevant construction lead generating service with statewide circulation, and on an internet site sponsored by either a governmental entity or a statewide association that represents the governmental entity when applicable as provided in chapter 618. If circumstances beyond the control of the governmental entity require postponement and there are no changes to the project’s contract documents, a notice of the revised date shall be posted not less than four and not more than forty-five days before the revised date for answering the request for proposals and statements of qualifications in a relevant contractor plan room service with statewide circulation, in a relevant construction lead generating service with statewide circulation, and on an internet site sponsored by either a government entity or a statewide association that represents the governmental entity as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 8.  Section 28A.5, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   Upon petition of eligible electors of a metropolitan area equal in number to at least ten percent of the persons who voted in the last general election held in the metropolitan area for the office of president of the United States or governor, the governing body of the county shall adopt a resolution signifying its intention to initiate the question of participating in the creation of an authority and shall publish the resolution at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the metropolitan area as provided in chapter 618 giving notice of a hearing to be held on the question of the metropolitan area’s entry into the authority. The resolution shall be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of hearing, and shall contain all of the following information:
    Sec. 9.  Section 28A.16, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  The board shall set a time and place for a public hearing on the budget before the final certification date and shall publish notice of the hearing not less than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing in one or more newspapers serving the greater metropolitan area as provided in chapter 618. Proof of publication shall be filed with and preserved by the treasurer.
    Sec. 10.  Section 28A.21, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  A proposed action of the board, and a proposed agreement to acquire, shall be approved by the governing body of the owner of the facilities. If the governing body of a county, city, commission, or authority desires to sell, lease, lend, grant, or convey to the authority a facility or any part of a facility, the governing body shall adopt a resolution signifying its intention to do so and shall publish the resolution at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the county and in a newspaper or newspapers, if necessary, of general circulation in the area served by the county, city, commission, or authority as provided in chapter 618 giving notice of a hearing to be held on the question of the sale, lease, loan, grant, or conveyance. The resolution shall be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of hearing. After the hearing and if in the public interest, the county, city, commission, or authority shall enact an ordinance authorizing the sale, lease, loan, grant, or conveyance.
    Sec. 11.  Section 28J.9, subsection 18, paragraph d, subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (1)  If a contract is to be negotiated and awarded without competitive bidding for the reason set forth in paragraph “c”, subparagraph (2), the port authority shall publish a notice calling for technical proposals at least twice, with at least seven days between publications, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the port authority as provided in chapter 618. After receipt of the technical proposals, the port authority may negotiate with and award a contract for the improvement to the person making the proposal considered to be the most advantageous to the port authority.
    Sec. 12.  Section 37.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   37.4  Notice.
   Notice of the election shall be given by publication in one newspaper published or having general circulation in the city as provided in section 362.3 as provided in chapter 618. The notice shall state the purpose of the memorial proposed as outlined in section 37.18.
    Sec. 13.  Section 49.11, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The board of supervisors or city council shall publish notice of changes in the county or city precinct boundaries in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county or city as provided in chapter 618 once each week for three consecutive weeks. The series of publications shall be made after the changes in the precincts have been approved by the state commissioner of elections. The last of the three publications shall be made no later than thirty days before the next general election. A map showing the new boundaries may be used. No publication is necessary if no changes were made.
    Sec. 14.  Section 69.2, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  If the status of an officeholder is in question, the entity or officer responsible for making an appointment to fill the vacancy shall decide whether a vacancy exists. The appointing entity or officer may act upon its own motion. If a petition signed by twenty-five registered voters of the jurisdiction is received, the appointing entity or officer shall convene within thirty days to consider whether a vacancy exists. The appointing entity or officer shall publish notice that a public hearing will be held to determine whether a vacancy exists.  If applicable, such notice shall be made pursuant to chapter 618. The notice shall include the time and place of the hearing and the name of the office and the officeholder whose status is in question. The public hearing shall be held not less than four nor more than fourteen days after publication of the notice. The officer whose status is in question shall be notified of the time and place of the hearing. Notice shall be sent by certified mail and must be postmarked at least fourteen days before the hearing. No later than seven days after the public hearing, the appointing entity or officer shall publish its decision. If the appointing entity or officer decides that the office is vacant, the publication shall state the date the vacancy occurred and what action will be taken to fill the vacancy.
    Sec. 15.  Section 73A.12, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   73A.12  Issuance of bonds —— notice.
   Before any municipality shall institute proceedings for the issuance of any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness payable from taxation, excepting such bonds or other evidence of indebtedness as have been authorized by a vote of the people of such municipality, and except such bonds or obligations as it may be by law compelled to issue, a notice of such action, including a statement of the amount and purpose of said bonds or other evidence of indebtedness shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within such municipality as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days before the meeting at which it is proposed to issue such bonds.
    Sec. 16.  Section 74A.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The treasurer may offer the warrants for public sale at par, by publishing notice of the sale for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction of the school district issuing the warrants as provided in chapter 618, giving not less than ten days’ notice of the time and place of the sale. The notice shall include a statement of the amount of the warrants offered for sale.
    Sec. 17.  Section 75.2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   75.2  Notice of sale.
   When public bonds are offered for sale, the official in charge of the bond issue shall, by advertisement published at least once, the last one of which shall be not less than four nor more than twenty days before the sale in a newspaper located in the county or a county contiguous to the place of sale as provided in chapter 618, give notice of the time and place of sale of the bonds, the amount to be offered for sale, and any further information which that the official deems pertinent.
    Sec. 18.  Section 80.39, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Personal property, except for motor vehicles subject to sale pursuant to section 321.89, and seizable property subject to disposition pursuant to chapter 809 or 809A, which personal property is found or seized by, turned in to, or otherwise lawfully comes into the possession of the department or a local law enforcement agency and which that the department or agency does not own, shall be disposed of pursuant to this section. If by examining the property the owner or lawful custodian of the property is known or can be readily ascertained, the department or agency shall notify the owner or custodian by certified mail directed to the owner’s or custodian’s last known address, as to the location of the property. If the identity or address of the owner cannot be determined, notice by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the property was found or, if applicable, as provided in chapter 618 is sufficient notice. A published notice may contain multiple items.
    Sec. 19.  Section 137.104, subsection 1, paragraph b, subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4), Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
   (1)  Rules of a city board shall become effective upon approval by the city council and publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the city as provided in chapter 618.
   (2)  Rules of a county board shall become effective upon approval by the county board of supervisors by a motion or resolution as defined in section 331.101, subsection 13, and publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618.
   (3)  Rules of a district board shall become effective upon approval by the district board and publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the district as provided in chapter 618.
   (4)  Before approving any rule or regulation the local board of health shall hold a public hearing on the proposed rule. Any citizen may appear and be heard at the public hearing. A notice of the public hearing, stating the time and place and the general nature of the proposed rule or regulation shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation as provided in section 331.305 in the area served by the local board of health chapter 618.
    Sec. 20.  Section 145A.5, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   145A.5  Order of approval.
   When a plan is approved, the officials approving the plan shall jointly issue an order of approval. The order shall specify the area to be merged, the maximum rate of tax to be levied for debt service and operation and maintenance of the proposed area hospital in the portion of the merged area within each political subdivision, the proposed location of the hospital building, the estimated cost of the establishment of the hospital, and any other details concerning the establishment and operation of the hospital the officials deem pertinent. The order shall be published in one or more newspapers which have general circulation within the merged area as provided in chapter 618 once each week for three consecutive weeks, but the newspapers selected need not be published in the merged area. The published order shall contain a notice to the residents of each subdivision of the proposed merged area that if the residents fail to protest as provided in this chapter, the order shall be deemed approved upon the expiration of a sixty-day period following the date of the last published notice.
    Sec. 21.  Section 161A.16, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   161A.16  Publication of notice.
   The notice of hearing on the formation of a subdistrict shall be by publication once each week for two consecutive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published in the county or district as provided in chapter 618, the last of which shall be not less than ten days prior to the day set for the hearing on the petition. Proof of such service shall be made by affidavit of the publisher, and be on file with the secretary of the district at the time the hearing begins.
    Sec. 22.  Section 161A.45, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   161A.45  Submission of regulations to division —— hearing.
   Regulations which that the commissioners propose to adopt, amend, or repeal shall be submitted to the division, in a form prescribed by the division, for its approval. The division may approve the regulations as submitted, or with amendments as it deems necessary. The commissioners shall, after approval, publish notice of hearing on the proposed regulations, as approved, in a newspaper of general circulation in the district as provided in chapter 618, setting a date and time not less than ten nor more than thirty days after the publication when a hearing on the proposed regulations will be held at a specified place. The notice shall include the full text of the proposed regulations or shall state that the proposed regulations are on file and available for review at the office of the affected soil and water conservation district.
    Sec. 23.  Section 174.17, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  A fair may institute proceedings for the issuance of bonds by causing a notice of the proposal to issue the bonds to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the county as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days prior to the meeting at which the fair proposes to take action for the issuance of the bonds. The notice shall include a statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, the maximum rate of interest the bonds are to bear, and the right to petition for an election.
    Sec. 24.  Section 257.18, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  An instructional support program that provides additional funding for school districts is established. A board of directors that wishes to consider participating in the instructional support program shall hold a public hearing on the question of participation. The board shall set forth its proposal, including the method that will be used to fund the program, in a resolution and shall publish the notice of the time and place of a public hearing on the resolution. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the public hearing in a newspaper which is a newspaper of general circulation in the school district as provided in chapter 618. At the hearing, or no later than thirty days after the date of the hearing, the board shall take action to adopt a resolution to participate in the instructional support program for a period not exceeding five years or to direct the county commissioner of elections to submit the question of participation in the program for a period not exceeding ten years to the registered voters of the school district at an election held on a date specified in section 39.2, subsection 4, paragraph “c”. If the board submits the question at an election and a majority of those voting on the question favors participation in the program, the board shall adopt a resolution to participate and certify the results of the election to the department of management.
    Sec. 25.  Section 257.31, subsection 5, paragraph o, subparagraph (2), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (2)  Prior to filing a request for supplemental aid or a modified supplemental amount based on the grounds specified in this paragraph, the board of directors shall hold a public hearing on the issue and shall publish the notice of the time and place of the public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the public hearing in a newspaper that is a newspaper of general circulation in the school district as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 26.  Section 257B.5, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   257B.5  Notice —— sale.
   When the board of supervisors shall offer for sale the sixteenth section or lands selected in lieu thereof, or any portion of the same, or any part of the five-hundred-thousand-acre grant, the county auditor shall give at least forty days’ notice, by written or printed notices posted in five public places in the county, two of which shall be in the township in which the land to be sold is situated, and also publish a notice of said sale once each week for two weeks preceding the same in a newspaper published in the county as provided in chapter 618, describing the land to be sold and the time and place of such sale. At such time and place, or at such other time and place as the sale may be adjourned to, the county auditor shall offer to the highest bidder, subject to the provisions of this chapter, and sell, either for cash or one-third cash and the balance on a credit not exceeding ten years, with interest on the same at the rate of not less than three and one-half percent per annum, to be paid at the office of the county treasurer of said county on the first day of January in each year, delinquent interest to bear the same rate as the principal. Such county treasurer shall pay to the state treasurer on the first day of February all interest collected.
    Sec. 27.  Section 260C.14, subsection 12, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   12.  During the second week of August of each year, publish by one insertion in at least one newspaper published in the merged area as provided in chapter 618 a summarized statement verified by affidavit of the secretary of the board showing the receipts and disbursements of all funds of the community college for the preceding fiscal year. The statement of disbursements shall show the names of the persons, firms, or corporations, and the total amount paid to each during the fiscal year. The board is not required to make the publications and notices required under sections 279.35 and 279.36.
    Sec. 28.  Section 273.8, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Notice of the election shall be published by the area education agency administrator not later than September 15 of the odd-numbered year in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the director district as provided in chapter 618. The cost of publication shall be paid by the area education agency.
    Sec. 29.  Section 273.8, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  Director district convention.  If no candidate files with the area education agency secretary by the deadline specified in subsection 2, or a vacancy occurs, or if otherwise required as provided in section 273.23, subsection 3, a director district convention, attended by members of the boards of directors of the local school districts located within the director district, shall be called to elect a board member described in subsection 1, paragraph “b”, for that director district. The convention location shall be determined by the area education agency administrator. Notice of the time, date, and place of a director district convention shall be published by the area education agency administrator in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the director district as provided in chapter 618 at least thirty days prior to the day of the convention. The cost of publication shall be paid by the area education agency. A candidate for election to the area education agency board shall file a statement of candidacy with the area education agency secretary at least ten days prior to the date of the director district convention on forms prescribed by the department of education, or nominations may be made at the convention by a delegate from a board of directors of a school district located within the director district. A statement of candidacy shall include the candidate’s name, address, and school district. Delegates to director district conventions shall not be bound by a school board or any school board member to pledge their votes to any candidate prior to the date of the convention.
    Sec. 30.  Section 273.27, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Within ten days following the filing of the dissolution proposal with the affected area education agency board, the affected board shall fix a date for a hearing on the proposal, which shall not be more than sixty days after the dissolution petition was filed with the affected board. The affected board shall publish notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing by one publication in a newspaper in general circulation in the area as provided in chapter 618. The notice shall include the contents of the dissolution proposal.
    Sec. 31.  Section 275.14, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Within ten days after the petition is filed, the area education agency administrator shall fix a final date for filing objections to the petition, which shall be not more than sixty days after the petition is filed, and shall fix the date for a hearing on the objections to the petition. Objections shall be filed in the office of the administrator, who shall give notice at least ten days prior to the final day for filing objections, by one publication in a newspaper published within the territory described in the petition, or if none is published in the territory, in a newspaper published in the county where the petition is filed, and of general circulation in the territory described as provided in chapter 618. The notice shall also list the date, time, and location for the hearing on the petition as provided in section 275.15. The cost of publication shall be assessed to each district whose territory is involved in the ratio that the number of pupils in basic enrollment for the budget year, as defined in section 257.6 in each district bears to the total number of pupils in basic enrollment for the budget year in the total area involved. Objections shall be in writing in the form of an affidavit and may be made by any person residing or owning land within the territory described in the petition, or who would be injuriously affected by the change petitioned for and shall be on file not later than 12:00 noon of the final day fixed for filing objections.
    Sec. 32.  Section 275.15, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   4.  The administrator shall at once publish the decision in the same newspaper as provided in chapter 618 in the same manner in which the original notice was published. Within twenty days after the publication, the decision rendered by the area education agency board may be appealed to the district court in the county involved by any school district affected. For purposes of appeal, only those school districts who filed reorganization petitions are school districts affected. An appeal from a decision of an area education agency board or joint area education agency boards under section 275.4, 275.16, or this section is subject to appeal procedures under this chapter and is not subject to appeal under chapter 290.
    Sec. 33.  Section 275.16, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  Votes of each member of an area education agency board in attendance shall be weighted so that the total number of votes eligible to be cast by members of each board in attendance shall be equal. However, if the joint boards cast a tie vote and are unable to agree to a decision fixing the boundaries for the proposed school corporation or to a decision to dismiss the petition, the time during which actions must be taken under section 275.15 shall be extended from ten days to fifteen days after the conclusion of the hearing under section 275.15, and the joint board shall reconvene not less than ten and not more than fifteen days after the conclusion of the hearing. At the hearing the joint board shall reconsider its action and if a tie vote is again cast it is a decision granting the petition and changing the plans of any and all of the agency boards affected by the petition and fixing the boundaries for the proposed school corporation. The agency administrator shall at once publish the decision in the same newspaper as provided in chapter 618 in the same manner in which the original notice was published.
    Sec. 34.  Section 275.18, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The county commissioner of elections shall give notice of the election by one publication in the same newspaper as provided in chapter 618 in the same manner in which previous notices have been published regarding the proposed school reorganization, and in addition, if more than one county is involved, by one publication in a legal newspaper as provided in chapter 618 in each county other than that of the first publication. The publication shall be not less than four nor more than twenty days prior to the election. If the decision published pursuant to section 275.15 or 275.16 includes a description of the proposed school corporation and a description of the director districts, if any, the notice for election and the ballot do not need to include these descriptions. Notice for an election shall not be published until the expiration of time for appeal, which shall be the same as that provided in section 275.15 or 275.16, whichever is applicable; and if there is an appeal, not until the appeal has been disposed of.
    Sec. 35.  Section 275.54, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Within ten days following the filing of the dissolution proposal with the board, the board shall fix a date for a hearing on the proposal, which shall not be more than sixty days after the dissolution petition was filed with the board. The board shall publish notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing by one publication in a newspaper in general circulation in the district as provided in chapter 618. The notice shall include the content of the dissolution proposal. A person residing or owning land in the school district may present evidence and arguments at the hearing. The president of the board shall preside at the hearing. The board shall review testimony from the hearing and shall adopt or amend and adopt the dissolution proposal.
    Sec. 36.  Section 275.55, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The board shall give written notice of the election to the county commissioner of elections. The county commissioner of elections shall give notice of the election by one publication in the same newspaper as provided in chapter 618 in the same manner in which the previous notice was published about the hearing, which publication shall not be less than four nor more than twenty days prior to the election.
    Sec. 37.  Section 279.36, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   279.36  Publication procedures and fee.
   1.  The requirements of section 279.35 are satisfied by publication in at least one newspaper published in the district or, if there is none, in at least one newspaper having general circulation within the district as provided in chapter 618.
   2.  For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1989, and each fiscal year thereafter, the fee for the publications shall be the legal publication fee provided by section 618.11.
    Sec. 38.  Section 303.44, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   The board of supervisors to whom the petition is addressed, at its next regular, special, or adjourned meeting, shall set the time and place when it will meet for a hearing upon the petition, and direct the county auditor in whose office the petition is filed to cause notice to be given to all persons whom it may concern, without naming them, of the pendency and prayer of the petition, by publication of a notice once each week for two consecutive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published as provided in chapter 618 in the proposed district. The last publication shall not be less than twenty days prior to the date set for the hearing of the petition. If no such newspaper is published in the proposed district, then notice shall be by posting at least five copies of the notice in the proposed district at least twenty days before the hearing. Proof of giving notice shall be made by affidavit of the publisher or affidavit of the person who posted the notices, and the proof shall be on file with the county auditor at the time the hearing begins. The notice of hearing shall be directed to all persons it may concern, and shall state the following:
    Sec. 39.  Section 303.46, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   303.46  Notice of election.
   In its order for the election the board of supervisors shall direct the county auditor to cause notice of the election to be given by posting at least five copies of the notice in public places in the proposed district at least twenty days before the date of election and by publication of the notice once each week for three consecutive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published as provided in chapter 618 in the proposed district, or, if no such newspaper is published within the proposed district, then in such a newspaper published in the county in which the major part of the proposed district is located. The last publication is to be at least twenty days prior to the date of election. The notice shall state the time and place of holding the election and the hours when the polls will be open and closed, the purpose of the election, with the name of the proposed district and a description of its boundaries, and shall set forth briefly the limits of each voting precinct and the location of the polling places. Proof of posting and publication shall be made in the manner provided in section 303.44 and filed with the county auditor.
    Sec. 40.  Section 303.52, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  The board of trustees shall provide for the manner in which the land use plan shall be established and enforced and amended, supplemented, or changed. However, a plan shall not become effective until after a public hearing on it, at which parties in interest and citizens of the district shall have an opportunity to be heard. At least fifteen days’ notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 within the district giving the time, date, and location of the public hearing.
    Sec. 41.  Section 306.12, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   306.12  Notice —— service.
   Notice of the hearing under section 306.11 shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties where the road is located or, if applicable, as provided in chapter 618, not less than four nor more than twenty days prior to the date of hearing. The agency which that is holding the hearing shall notify all adjoining property owners, all utility companies whose facilities adjoin the road right-of-way or are on the road right-of-way, and the department, boards of supervisors, or agency in control of affected state lands, of the time and place of the hearing, by certified mail.
    Sec. 42.  Section 309.96, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  In the event that a county secondary road budget or amended budget thereto is disapproved by the department, the county may elect either to revise such budget or amended budget so as to receive approval or the county may elect to operate with such disapproved budget or amended budget. In the event the county secondary road budget is disapproved in whole or in part, within twenty days after receipt of the department’s report, the board of supervisors shall cause to be published in the official newspapers of the county as provided in chapter 618, notice of a public hearing to be held within ten days of said publication, on the department’s recommendations, and at said hearing the board of supervisors shall amend or adopt their original budget.
    Sec. 43.  Section 321.89, subsection 3, paragraph g, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   g.  If it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identities and addresses of the last registered owner and all lienholders, notice by one publication in one newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle was abandoned or, if applicable, as provided in chapter 618 shall be sufficient to meet all requirements of notice under this section. The published notice may contain multiple listings of abandoned vehicles but shall be published within the same time requirements and contain the same information as prescribed for mailed notice in this subsection.
    Sec. 44.  Section 321.236, subsection 13, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Before establishing a rural residence district, the board of supervisors shall hold a public hearing on the proposal, notice of which shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation as provided in chapter 618 in the area where the proposed district is located at least twenty days before the date of hearing. The notice shall state the time and place of the hearing, the proposed location of the district, and other data considered pertinent by the board of supervisors.
    Sec. 45.  Section 330A.6, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   Whenever the governing body of any municipality shall desire to participate in the creation of an authority it shall adopt a resolution signifying its intention to do so and shall publish said resolution at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 in such municipality giving notice of a hearing to be held on the question of the municipality’s entry into such authority. Such resolution shall be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of hearing, and shall contain therein the following information:
    Sec. 46.  Section 330A.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  A municipality wishing to withdraw from or to become a member of an existing authority shall signify its intention by resolution and shall publish the resolution at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 in the municipality giving notice of a hearing to be held on the question of withdrawing or joining and its intention to withdraw or join. The resolution shall be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of the hearing. A withdrawing municipality shall state in the resolution how it intends to pay its portion of the outstanding obligations of the authority, if any. A joining municipality shall state in the resolution the information required in section 330A.6. A copy of the resolution shall be certified to the authority by the municipality at least fourteen days in advance of the hearing. The board shall by resolution indicate whether a satisfactory provision has been made for the payment of the outstanding obligations of the authority, as required under subsection 1. After the hearing and if the outstanding obligations of the authority have been adequately provided for by the municipality, the municipality may enact an ordinance to withdraw from or join the authority.
    Sec. 47.  Section 330A.11, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The proposed action of an authority, and the proposed agreement to acquire, shall be approved by the governing body of the owner of the aviation facilities. Whenever the governing body of any municipality, airport commission, or authority, shall desire to sell, lease, lend, grant, or convey to the authority, any aviation facilities or any part or parts thereof, as aforesaid, it shall adopt a resolution signifying its intention to do so and shall publish said resolution at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 in said municipality and in a newspaper or newspapers, if necessary, of general circulation of in the area served by said airport commission or authority giving notice of a hearing to be held on the question of said sale, lease, loan, grant, or conveyance. Such resolution shall be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of hearing. After the hearing and if in the public interest, said municipality shall enact an ordinance authorizing said sale, lease, loan, grant, or conveyance and said airport commission or authority shall pass a resolution authorizing said sale, lease, loan, grant, or conveyance.
    Sec. 48.  Section 331.207, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The petition shall be filed with the county commissioner by June 1 of an odd-numbered year, subject to subsection 7. The special election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the odd-numbered year. Notice of the special election shall be published once each week for three successive weeks in an official newspaper of the county as provided in chapter 618, shall state the representation plans to be submitted to the electors, and shall state the date of the special election. The last in the series of publications shall occur not less than four nor more than twenty days before the election.
    Sec. 49.  Section 331.237, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  If a proposed charter for county government is received not less than five working days before the filing deadline for candidates for county offices specified in section 44.4 for the next general election, the board shall direct the county commissioner of elections to submit to the registered voters of the county at the next general election the question of whether the proposed charter shall be adopted. A summary of the proposed charter or amendment shall be published in as provided in chapter 618, on the official internet site of the county newspapers and in a newspaper of general circulation in on the official internet site of each participating city, if applicable, at least ten but not more than twenty days before the date of the election. Except as otherwise provided in sections 331.247 and 331.260, if a majority of the votes cast on the question is in favor of the proposal, the proposal is adopted.
    Sec. 50.  Section 331.302, subsection 8, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   8.  A resolution becomes effective upon passage and an ordinance or amendment becomes a law when a summary of the ordinance or the complete text of the ordinance is published as provided in chapter 618, unless a subsequent effective date is provided within the measure. As used in this subsection, “summary” shall mean a narrative description of the terms and conditions of an ordinance setting forth the main points of the ordinance in a manner calculated to inform the public in a clear and understandable manner the meaning of the ordinance and which shall provide the public with sufficient notice to conform to the desired conduct required by the ordinance. The description shall include the title of the ordinance, an accurate and intelligible abstract or synopsis of the essential elements of the ordinance, a statement that the description is a summary, the location and the normal business hours of the office where the ordinance may be inspected, when the ordinance becomes effective, and the full text of any provisions imposing fines, penalties, forfeitures, fees, or taxes. Legal descriptions of property set forth in ordinances shall be described in full, provided that maps or charts may be substituted for legal descriptions when they contain sufficient detail to clearly define the area with which the ordinance is concerned. The narrative description shall be written in a clear and coherent manner and shall, to the extent possible, avoid the use of technical or legal terms not generally familiar to the public. When necessary to use technical or legal terms not generally familiar to the public, the narrative description shall include definitions of those terms.
    Sec. 51.  Section 331.305, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Unless otherwise provided by state law, if notice of an election, hearing, or other official action is required by this chapter, the board shall publish the notice at least once, not less than four nor more than twenty days before the date of the election, hearing, or other action, in one or more newspapers which meet the requirements of section 618.14 as provided in chapter 618. Notice of an election shall also comply with section 49.53.
    Sec. 52.  Section 331.385, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The board of supervisors shall publish notice of the proposed resolution, and of a public hearing to be held on the proposed resolution, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days but no more than twenty days before the date of the public hearing. If, after notice and hearing, the resolution is adopted, the board of supervisors shall assume the exercise of the powers and duties of township trustees relating to fire protection service and emergency medical service as set forth in sections 359.42 through 359.45.
    Sec. 53.  Section 331.425, subsection 5, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   5.  Notice of the proposed special levy election shall be published at least twice in a newspaper as specified in section 331.305 prior to the date of the special levy election. The first notice shall appear as early as practicable after the board has decided to seek a special levy.
    Sec. 54.  Section 331.434, subsections 3 and 6, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
   3.  Following, and not until, the requirements of section 24.2A are completed, the board shall set a time and place for a public hearing on the budget before the final certification date and shall publish notice of the hearing not less than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing in the county newspapers selected under chapter 349 as provided in chapter 618. A summary of the proposed budget and a description of the procedure for protesting the county budget under section 331.436, in the form prescribed by the director of the department of management, shall be included in the notice. Proof of publication of the notice under this subsection 3 shall be filed with and preserved by the county auditor. A levy is not valid unless and until the notice is published and individual statements under section 24.2A are mailed. The department of management shall prescribe the form for the public hearing notice for use by counties.
   6.  The board shall appropriate, by resolution, the amounts deemed necessary for each of the different county officers and departments during the ensuing fiscal year. Increases or decreases in these appropriations do not require a budget amendment, but may be provided by resolution at a regular meeting of the board, as long as each class of proposed expenditures contained in the budget summary published under subsection 3 of this section is not increased. However, decreases in appropriations for a county officer or department of more than ten percent or five thousand dollars, whichever is greater, shall not be effective unless the board sets a time and place for a public hearing on the proposed decrease and publishes notice of the hearing not less than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing in the county newspapers selected under chapter 349 as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 55.  Section 331.434, subsection 7, paragraph c, subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended by striking the subparagraph.
    Sec. 56.  Section 331.443, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Notwithstanding subsection 2, a board may institute proceedings for the issuance of bonds for an essential county purpose specified in section 331.441, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (18) or (19), in an amount equal to or greater than three million dollars by causing a notice of the proposal to issue the bonds, including a statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, together with the maximum rate of interest which that the bonds are to bear, and the right to petition for an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 within the county at least ten days prior to the meeting at which it is proposed to take action for the issuance of the bonds.
    Sec. 57.  Section 341A.6, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   6.  To arrange, compile, and administer competitive tests to determine the relative qualifications of persons seeking employment in any class of position and as a result thereof establish eligible lists for the various classes of positions, and provide that persons discharged because of curtailment of expenditures, reduction in force, and for like causes, head the list in the order of their seniority, to the end that they shall be the first to be reemployed. Notice of competitive tests to be given shall be published at least two weeks prior to holding the tests in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 in the county or counties in which a vacancy exists.
    Sec. 58.  Section 346.27, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   4.  The articles of incorporation shall set forth the name of the authority, the name of the incorporating units, the purpose for which the authority is created, the number, terms, and manner of selection of its officers including its governing body which shall be known as the “commission”, the powers and duties of the authority and of its officers, the date upon which the authority becomes effective, the name of the newspaper in official internet site of the county on which the articles of incorporation shall be published, and any other matters.
    Sec. 59.  Section 346.27, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   6.  The articles of incorporation shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder and filed with the secretary of state, and shall be published once in a newspaper on the county’s official internet site designated in the articles of incorporation and having a general circulation within the county, and upon such recording and publication, the authority shall be deemed to come into existence.
    Sec. 60.  Section 346.27, subsection 10, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  In addition to the notice required by section 49.53, a notice of the election shall be published once each week for at least two weeks in some newspaper published in the county as provided in chapter 618 stating the date of the election, the hours the polls will be open, and a copy of the question. The authority shall call this election with the concurrence of both incorporating units. The election shall be conducted by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of chapters 49 and 50.
    Sec. 61.  Section 347.7, subsection 4, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  The tax levy authorized by this section for operation and maintenance of the hospital may be available in whole or in part to any county with or without a county hospital organized under this chapter, to be used to enhance rural health services in the county. However, the tax levied may be expended for enhancement of rural health care services only following a local planning process. The department of health and human services shall establish guidelines to be followed by counties in implementing the local planning process, which shall require legal notice, public hearings, and a referendum in accordance with this subsection prior to the authorization of any new levy or a change in the use of a levy. The notice shall describe the new levy or the change in the use of the levy, indicate the date and location of the hearing, and shall be published at least once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618.  The hearing shall not take place prior to two weeks after the second publication.
    Sec. 62.  Section 349.16, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   There shall be published in each of the official newspapers at the expense of the county as provided in chapter 618 during the ensuing year:
    Sec. 63.  Section 349.18, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  In addition to the requirements in paragraph “a”, if a county operates an internet site, the county auditor shall post the full text of all resolutions adopted by the board on the internet site as provided in chapter 618. Any posted summary or text of a full resolution shall include links directing readers to information relevant to the content of the resolution.
    Sec. 64.  Section 352.7, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Within thirty days of receipt of a proposal to create or expand an agricultural area which that meets the statutory requirements, the county board shall provide notice of the proposal by publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618. Within forty-five days after receipt of the proposal, the county board shall hold a public hearing on the proposal.
    Sec. 65.  Section 354.25, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A survey of an official plat shall conform as nearly as possible to the original lot lines shown on the official plat. The surveyor may summon witnesses, administer oaths, and prepare affidavits and boundary line agreements as necessary in order to establish the location of property lines or lot lines. If a substantial error is discovered in an official plat or if it is found to be materially defective, a proprietor may petition the governing body which that would have jurisdiction to approve the plat at the time the petition is filed for a replat of any part of the official plat. Notice of the proposed replat shall be served, in the manner of original notice as provided in Iowa rules of civil procedure, to the proprietors of record and holders of easements specifically recorded within the area to be replatted. The governing body has jurisdiction of the matter upon proof of publication of notice of the petition once each week for two weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the area of the replat as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 66.  Section 357A.3, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area to be incorporated as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 67.  Section 357A.6, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  If the supervisors find that required notice of the hearing has been given and that the proposed district is reasonably necessary for the public health, convenience, and comfort of the residents, or may be of benefit in providing fire protection, they shall make an order establishing the district as a political subdivision, designating the district’s boundary, and identifying the district by name or number. The order shall be published in the same newspaper which published the notice of hearing as provided in chapter 618. The supervisors shall prepare and preserve a complete record of the hearing on the petition and their findings and action.
    Sec. 68.  Section 357A.8, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  For an annual meeting of participating members by July 31 of each year following the year of incorporation of the district, and for the mailing of written notice of the time and place of each annual meeting to each participating member and publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the district as provided in chapter 618 not less than ten nor more than thirty days prior to each meeting.
    Sec. 69.  Section 357A.11, subsection 13, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Prior to such sale, conveyance, merger, or disposition by the board that includes the relinquishment of the district’s right to provide service to an area, the board shall publish notice of a public hearing not less than four nor more than twenty days before the date fixed for the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the area for which the board seeks to relinquish service as provided in chapter 618. The board shall mail notice of a public hearing to the district’s members in the area for which the board seeks to relinquish service not less than fourteen days prior to such public hearing. A public hearing is not required when the board relinquishes the district’s right to service an area within the corporate limits of a city if the city will provide service in compliance with the city’s annexation plan.
    Sec. 70.  Section 357A.12, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  As soon as reasonably possible after incorporation of a district, the board shall file with the supervisors and the department copies of the plans and specifications for, and estimates of the cost of, any improvements authorized by this chapter which that the board proposes to construct or acquire. The board shall determine a reasonable fee which that each member shall pay for the privilege of utilizing the district’s facilities, and which that shall be known as a benefit unit. Benefit units may be classified. The board, by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the district as provided in chapter 618, shall generally describe the planned improvements, the area to be served and the fee members will be required to pay for each service connected to the water system.
    Sec. 71.  Section 357A.24, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  The order shall be published in on the same newspaper which published official internet site as the notice of the hearing.
    Sec. 72.  Section 357B.18, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   357B.18  Detachment of land from district.
   The trustees of a township, after notice and a public hearing, may withdraw the township or part of the township from a benefited fire district. Notice of the time, date, and place of the hearing shall be published at least two weeks before the hearing in a newspaper having general circulation as provided in chapter 618 within the township. The notice shall also identify the area to be withdrawn. After the hearing on the proposed withdrawal, the township trustees, by majority vote, may withdraw the township or a part of the township from the benefited fire district. If the township trustees take final action to withdraw on or before March 1 of a fiscal year, the effective date of the withdrawal is the following July 1. However, if final action to withdraw is taken after March 1, the withdrawal is not effective until July 1 of the following calendar year. If bonds issued under section 357B.4 are outstanding at the time of withdrawal, the board of supervisors shall continue to levy an annual tax against the taxable property being withdrawn to pay its share of the outstanding obligation of the district relating to those bonds.
    Sec. 73.  Section 357F.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   357F.4  Time of hearing.
   The public hearing required in section 357F.2 shall be held within thirty days of the presentation of the petition. Notice of hearing shall be given by publication in two successive issues of any newspaper of general circulation within the district as provided in chapter 618. The last publication shall be not less than one week before the proposed hearing.
    Sec. 74.  Section 357G.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   357G.4  Time of hearing.
   The public hearing required in section 357G.2 shall be held within thirty days of the presentation of the petition. Notice of hearing shall be given by publication in two successive issues of any newspaper of general circulation within the district as provided in chapter 618. The last publication shall be not less than one week before the proposed hearing.
    Sec. 75.  Section 357I.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   357I.4  Time of hearing.
   The public hearing required in section 357I.2 shall be held within thirty days of the presentation of the petition. Notice of hearing shall be given by publication in two successive issues of any newspaper of general circulation within the district as provided in chapter 618. The last publication shall be not less than one week before the proposed hearing.
    Sec. 76.  Section 357J.10, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   357J.10  Approval of district property tax levy.
   Annually, the commission shall propose the levy of a tax of not more than one dollar and sixty and three-quarters cents per one thousand dollars of assessed value on all taxable property within the district. A proposed property tax levy rate shall not be approved by the commission unless two-thirds of the commission’s members are present when the proposed property tax levy rate is approved. The commission shall hold a public hearing within thirty days of the commission’s approval of a proposed property tax levy rate to receive public comment. Notice of the hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the district as provided in chapter 618 and shall be posted in a public place in each city within the district no less than ten days before the public hearing. The notice shall include the commission’s proposed property tax levy rate, the reason for the tax, and the time when and the place where the hearing shall be held. The commission shall be considered a municipality for purposes of adopting and certifying a budget pursuant to chapter 24 and shall set the property tax levy rate no more than ten days following the public hearing. The tax shall be set to raise only the amount needed. The commission shall have exclusive tax-levying authority for the district.
    Sec. 77.  Section 358.40, subsections 3 and 4, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
   3.  The board shall examine the petition at its next meeting after its filing or within twenty days of the filing, whichever date is earlier. Within ten days of the meeting, the board shall publish notice of the petition and the date, time, and place of the meeting at which time the board proposes to take action on the petition. The notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation published in the district and, if no newspaper is published within the district, in a newspaper published in the county in which the major part of the district is located as provided in chapter 618. At the board’s meeting, or subsequent meetings as necessary, if the petition is found to comply with the requirements of this section and the board of trustees consents by majority vote, the board of supervisors may provide for payment as requested or modify the method of payment of costs and expenses.
   4.  If the board decides that dissolution is warranted for the best interest of the public, it shall publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation published in the district or, if no newspaper is published in the district, in a newspaper published in the county in which the major part of the district is located as provided in chapter 618 and give notice by mail to all known claimants or creditors of the district that it will receive and adjudicate claims against the district for four months from the date the notice is published and shall levy an annual tax as necessary against all property in the district for the number of years required to pay all claims allowed. However, the annual tax levied under this subsection shall not exceed four dollars per thousand dollars of assessed valuation of the taxable property within the district at the time of dissolution. The levy shall be made in the same manner as provided in section 76.2. After the board makes a specific finding that all indebtedness, costs, and expenses have been paid or levies approved for their payment, the board shall dissolve the district by resolution entered upon its records. The dissolution order shall be noted by the auditor on the county records, showing the date when the dissolution became effective.
    Sec. 78.  Section 359.52, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  The board of trustees shall set forth its proposal in a resolution and shall publish notice of the resolution and of a date, time, and place of a public hearing on the proposal. The notice shall be published in a newspaper published at least once weekly and having general circulation in the township or in the largest city in the township as provided in chapter 618. The notice shall be published no less than ten days and no more than twenty days before the hearing.
    Sec. 79.  Section 362.3, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  A publication required by the city code must be in a newspaper published at least once weekly and having general circulation in the city as provided in chapter 618. However, if the city has a population of two hundred or less, or in the case of ordinances and amendments to be published in a city in which no newspaper is published, a publication may be made by posting in three public places in the city which that have been permanently designated by ordinance.
    Sec. 80.  Section 362.3, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by striking the subsection.
    Sec. 81.  Section 364.2, subsection 4, paragraph c, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   c.  Notice of the election shall be given by publication as prescribed in section 49.53 in a newspaper of general circulation in the city and chapter 618.
    Sec. 82.  Section 364.4, subsection 4, paragraph e, subparagraph (2), subparagraph division (a), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (a)  The governing body must institute proceedings to enter into a lease or lease-purchase contract payable from the general fund by causing a notice of the meeting to discuss entering into the lease or lease-purchase contract, including a statement of the principal amount and purpose of the lease or lease-purchase contract and the right to petition for an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days prior to the discussion meeting. No sooner than thirty days following the discussion meeting shall the governing body hold a meeting at which it is proposed to take action to enter into the lease or lease-purchase contract.
    Sec. 83.  Section 368.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   368.4  Annexing moratorium.
   A city, following notice and hearing, may by resolution agree with another city or cities to refrain from annexing specifically described territory for a period not to exceed ten years and, following notice and hearing, may by resolution extend the agreement for subsequent periods not to exceed ten years each. Notice of a hearing shall be served by regular mail at least thirty days before the hearing on the city development board and on the board of supervisors of the county in which the territory is located and shall be published in an official county newspaper in as provided in chapter 618, on the official internet site of each county containing a city conducting a hearing regarding the agreement, in an official county newspaper in on the official internet site of any county within two miles of any such city, and in an official newspaper on the official internet site of each city conducting a hearing regarding the agreement. The notice shall include the time and place of the hearing, describe a description of the territory subject to the proposed agreement, and the general terms of the agreement. After passage of a resolution by the cities approving the agreements, a copy of the agreement and a copy of any resolution extending an agreement shall be filed with the city development board within ten days of enactment. If such an agreement is in force, the board shall dismiss a petition or plan which that violates the terms of the agreement.
    Sec. 84.  Section 368.7, subsection 1, paragraph d, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   d.  The city shall provide for a public hearing on the application before approving or denying it. The city shall provide written notice at least fourteen business days prior to any action by the city council regarding the application, including a public hearing, by regular mail to the chairperson of the board of supervisors of each county which contains a portion of the territory proposed to be annexed, each public utility which serves the territory proposed to be annexed, each owner of property located within the territory to be annexed who is not a party to the application, and each owner of property that adjoins the territory to be annexed unless the adjoining property is in a city. The city shall publish notice of the application and public hearing on the application in an official county newspaper in each county which contains a portion of the territory proposed to be annexed as provided in chapter 618. Both the written and published notice shall include the time and place of the public hearing and a legal description of the territory to be annexed. The city shall not assess the costs of providing notice as required in this section to the applicants. The city council shall approve or deny the application by resolution of the council.
    Sec. 85.  Section 368.7, subsections 2 and 3, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
   2.  An application for annexation of territory not within an urbanized area of a city other than the city to which the annexation is directed must be approved by resolution of the council which receives the application. The city council shall mail a copy of the application by certified mail to the board of supervisors of each county which contains a portion of the territory at least fourteen business days prior to any action taken by the city council on the application. The council shall also publish notice of the application in an official county newspaper in each county which contains a portion of the territory as provided in chapter 618 at least fourteen days prior to any action taken by the council on the application. Upon receiving approval of the council, the city clerk shall file a copy of the resolution, map, and legal description of the territory involved with the secretary of state, the county board of supervisors of each county which contains a portion of the territory, each affected public utility, and the state department of transportation. The city clerk shall also record a copy of the legal description, map, and resolution with the county recorder of each county which contains a portion of the territory. The secretary of state shall not accept and acknowledge a copy of a legal description, map, and resolution of annexation which would create an island. The annexation is completed upon acknowledgment by the secretary of state that the secretary of state has received the legal description, map, and resolution.
   3.  An application for annexation of territory within an urbanized area of a city other than the city to which the annexation is directed must be approved both by resolution of the council which receives the application and by the board. The board shall not approve an application which creates an island. Notice of the application shall be mailed by certified mail, by the city to which the annexation is directed, at least fourteen business days prior to any action by the city council on the application to the council of each city whose boundary adjoins the territory or is within two miles of the territory, to the board of supervisors of each county which contains a portion of the territory, each affected public utility, and to the regional planning authority of the territory. Notice of the application shall be published in an official county newspaper in each county which contains a portion of the territory as provided in chapter 618 at least ten business days prior to any action by the city council on the application. The annexation is completed when the board has filed and recorded copies of applicable portions of the proceedings as required by section 368.20, subsection 1, paragraph “b”.
    Sec. 86.  Section 368.11, subsection 5, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   5.  Before a petition for involuntary annexation may be filed, the petitioner shall hold a public meeting on the petition. Notice of the meeting shall be published in an official county newspaper in as provided in chapter 618, on the official internet site of each county which that contains a part of the territory at least five days before the date of the public meeting. The mayor of the city proposing to annex the territory, or that person’s designee, shall serve as chairperson of the public meeting. The city clerk of the same city or the city clerk’s designee shall record the proceedings of the public meeting. Any person attending the meeting may submit written comments and may be heard on the petition. The minutes of the public meeting and all documents submitted at the public meeting shall be forwarded to the county board of supervisors of each county where the territory is located and to the board by the chairperson of the meeting.
    Sec. 87.  Section 372.13, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   6.  Within fifteen days following a regular or special meeting of the council, the clerk shall cause the minutes of the proceedings of the council, including the total expenditure from each city fund, to be delivered to a newspaper of general circulation in the city for publication published as provided in chapter 618. The publication shall include a list of all claims allowed and a summary of all receipts and shall show the gross amount of the claims. The list of claims allowed shall show the name of the person or firm making the claim, the reason for the claim, and the amount of the claim. If the reason for the claims is the same, two or more claims made by the same vendor, supplier, or claimant may be consolidated if the number of claims consolidated and the total consolidated claim amount are listed in the statement. However, the city shall provide at its office upon request an unconsolidated list of all claims allowed. Matters discussed in closed session pursuant to section 21.3 shall not be published until entered on the public minutes. However, in cities having more than one hundred fifty thousand population, the council shall each month print in pamphlet form a detailed itemized statement of all receipts and disbursements of the city, and a summary of its proceedings during the preceding month, and furnish copies to the city library, the daily newspapers of the city, and to persons who apply at the office of the city clerk, and the pamphlet shall constitute publication as required.  The contents of the pamphlet shall be published on the city’s internet site. Failure by the clerk to make publication is a simple misdemeanor. The provisions of this subsection are applicable in cities in which a newspaper is published, or in cities of two hundred population or over, but in all other cities, posting the statement in three public places in the city which have been permanently designated by ordinance is sufficient compliance with this subsection.
    Sec. 88.  Section 373.4, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Within sixty days after its organization, the commission shall hold at least one public hearing for the purpose of receiving information and material which that will assist in the drafting of a charter. Notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be published in the official county newspapers of as provided in chapter 618 in each county in which the participating cities are located.
    Sec. 89.  Section 373.6, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  If a proposed charter for consolidation is received not later than seventy-eight days before the next general election, the council of the participating city with the largest population shall, not later than sixty-nine days before the general election, direct the county commissioner of elections to submit to the registered voters of the participating cities at the next general election the question of whether the proposed charter shall be adopted. A summary of the proposed charter shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in as provided in chapter 618 on the official internet site of each city participating in the charter commission process at least ten but not more than twenty days before the date of the election. The proposed charter shall be effective in regard to a city only if a majority of the electors of the city voting approves the proposed charter.
    Sec. 90.  Section 384.16, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  Following, and not until, completion of requirements of section 24.2A, the council shall set a time and place for public hearing on the budget before the final certification date and shall publish notice of the hearing pursuant to section 362.3 in a newspaper published at least once weekly and having general circulation in the city. However, if the city has a population of two hundred or less, publication may be made by posting in three public places in the city and as provided in chapter 618. A summary of the proposed budget and a description of the procedure for protesting the city budget under section 384.19, in the form prescribed by the director of the department of management, shall be included in the notice. Proof of publication of the notice under this subsection 3 must be filed with the county auditor. The department of management shall prescribe the form for the public hearing notice for use by cities.
    Sec. 91.  Section 384.16, subsection 6, paragraph c, subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended by striking the subparagraph.
    Sec. 92.  Section 384.24A, subsection 4, paragraph b, subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (1)  The governing body must institute proceedings to enter into a loan agreement payable from the general fund by causing a notice of the meeting to discuss entering into the loan agreement, including a statement of the principal amount and purpose of the loan agreement and the right to petition for an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days prior to the discussion meeting. No sooner than thirty days following the discussion meeting shall the governing body hold a meeting at which it is proposed to take action to enter into the loan agreement.
    Sec. 93.  Section 384.25, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Notwithstanding subsection 2, a council may institute proceedings for the issuance of bonds for an essential corporate purpose specified in section 384.24, subsection 3, paragraph “w” or “x”, in an amount equal to or greater than three million dollars by causing a notice of the proposal to issue the bonds, including a statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, together with the maximum rate of interest which that the bonds are to bear, and the right to petition for an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 within the city at least ten days prior to the meeting at which it is proposed to take action for the issuance of the bonds.
    Sec. 94.  Section 384.26, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Notice of the election must be given by publication as required by section 49.53 in a newspaper of general circulation in the city provided in chapter 618. At the election the ballot used for the submission of the proposition must be in substantially the form for submitting special questions at general elections.
    Sec. 95.  Section 384.26, subsection 5, paragraph a, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2, a council may, in lieu of calling an election, institute proceedings for the issuance of bonds for a general corporate purpose by causing a notice of the proposal to issue the bonds, including a statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, together with the maximum rate of interest which that the bonds are to bear, and the right to petition for an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city as provided by chapter 618 at least ten days prior to the meeting at which it is proposed to take action for the issuance of the bonds subject to the following population-based limitations, adjusted and published annually in January by the department of management by applying the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers for the most recent available twelve-month period published in the federal register by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics:
    Sec. 96.  Section 384.84A, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  The governing body of a city may institute proceedings to issue revenue bonds for storm water drainage construction projects under section 384.84, subsection 7, by causing notice of the proposed project, with a description of the proposed project and a description of the formula for the determination of the rate or rates applied to users for payment of the bonds, and a description of the bonds and maximum rate of interest and the right to petition for an election if the project meets the requirement of subsection 2, to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city as provided in chapter 618 at least thirty days before the meeting at which the governing body proposes to take action to institute proceedings for issuance of revenue bonds for the storm water drainage construction project.
    Sec. 97.  Section 400.3, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  If the city council appoints a commission, the city council may, by ordinance, abolish the commission, and the commission shall stand abolished sixty days from the date of the ordinance and the powers and duties of the commission shall revert to the city council except whenever a city having a population of less than eight thousand provides for the appointment of a civil service commission, the city council may by ordinance abolish such office, but the ordinance shall not take effect until the ordinance has been submitted to the voters at a regular city election and approved by a majority of the voters at such election. The ordinance shall be published once each week for two consecutive weeks preceding the date of the election in a newspaper published in and having a general circulation in the city. If a newspaper is not published in such city, publication may be made in any newspaper having general circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 98.  Section 403.5, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  The local governing body shall hold a public hearing on an urban renewal plan after public notice thereof by publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in the area of operation of the municipality as provided in chapter 618. The notice shall describe the time, date, place and purpose of the hearing, shall generally identify the urban renewal area covered by the plan, and shall outline the general scope of the urban renewal activities under consideration. A copy of the notice shall be sent by ordinary mail to each affected taxing entity.
    Sec. 99.  Section 403.8, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  A municipality may dispose of real property in an urban renewal area to private persons only under reasonable competitive bidding procedures it shall prescribe, or as provided in this subsection. A municipality, by public notice by publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in the community published as provided in chapter 618, thirty days prior to the execution of a contract to sell, lease, or otherwise transfer real property, and prior to the delivery of an instrument of conveyance with respect to the real property under this section, may invite proposals from and make available all pertinent information to any persons interested in undertaking to redevelop or rehabilitate an urban renewal area, or a part of the area. The notice shall identify the area, or portion of the area, and shall state that proposals shall be made by those interested within thirty days after the date of publication of the notice, and that further information available may be obtained at the office designated in the notice. The municipality shall consider all redevelopment or rehabilitation proposals, and the financial and legal ability of the persons making the proposals to carry them out, and the municipality may negotiate with any persons for proposals concerning the purchase, lease or other transfer of real property acquired by the municipality in the urban renewal area. The municipality may accept the proposal it deems to be in the public interest and in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter. However, a notification of intention to accept the proposal shall be filed with the governing body not less than thirty days prior to the acceptance. Thereafter, the municipality may execute a contract in accordance with subsection 1 and may deliver deeds, leases, and other instruments and may take all steps necessary to effectuate the contract.
    Sec. 100.  Section 403.15, subsection 5, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   5.  The mayor or chairperson of the board, as applicable, shall designate a chairperson and vice chairperson from among the commissioners. An agency may employ an executive director, technical experts and such other agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as it may require, and the agency may determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. For such legal service as it may require, an agency may employ or retain its own counsel and legal staff. An agency authorized to transact business and exercise powers under this chapter shall file, with the local governing body, on or before September 30 of each year, a report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year, which report shall include a complete financial statement setting forth its assets, liabilities, income and operating expense as of the end of such fiscal year. At the time of filing the report, the agency shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation, as provided in chapter 618, in the city or county, as applicable, a notice to the effect that such report has been filed with the municipality, and that the report is available for inspection during business hours in the office of the city clerk or county auditor, as applicable, and in the office of the agency.
    Sec. 101.  Section 403A.5, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  The mayor shall designate a chairperson and vice chairperson from among the commissioners. An agency may employ an executive director, technical experts and such other agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as it may require, and the agency may determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. For such legal service as it may require, an agency may employ or retain its own counsel and legal staff. An agency authorized to transact business and exercise powers under this chapter shall file, with the local governing body, on or before September 30 of each year, a report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year, which report shall include a complete financial statement setting forth its assets, liabilities, income, and operating expense as of the end of such fiscal year. At the time of filing the report, the agency shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation a notice in the community a notice as provided in chapter 618 to the effect that such report has been filed with the municipality, and that the report is available for inspection during business hours in the office of the city clerk and in the office of the agency.
    Sec. 102.  Section 403A.28, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   403A.28  Public hearing required.
   The municipal housing agency shall not undertake any low-cost housing project until such time as a public hearing has been called, at which time the agency shall advise the public of the name of the proposed project, its location, the number of living units proposed and their approximate cost. Notice of the public hearing on the proposed project shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 within the municipality, at least fifteen days prior to the date set for the hearing.
    Sec. 103.  Section 419.9, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   419.9  Public hearing.
   Prior to the issuance of any bonds under authority of this chapter, the municipality shall conduct a public hearing on the proposal to issue said bonds. Notice of intention to issue the bonds, specifying the amount and purpose thereof and the time and place of hearing, shall be published at least once not less than fifteen days prior to the date fixed for the hearing in a newspaper published and having a general circulation within the municipality. If there is no newspaper published therein, the notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the county and having a general circulation in the municipality as provided in chapter 618. At the time and place fixed for the public hearing the governing body of the municipality shall give all local residents who appear at the hearing an opportunity to express their views for or against the proposal to issue the bonds and at the hearing, or any adjournment thereof, shall adopt a resolution determining whether or not to proceed with the issuance of the bonds.
    Sec. 104.  Section 420.41, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  Special charter cities which prior to and concurrently with the taking effect of this subsection collect general city taxes directly through their own officers, shall, within the applicable provisions of chapter 384, subchapter I, make the appropriations for the necessary expenditures for the next ensuing fiscal year by ordinance. The proposed ordinance shall, upon first reading, be placed on file with the clerk for public inspection, and, upon second reading, if and as amended, forthwith be published in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618, together with the time and place for a public hearing on said proposed ordinance, which hearing shall be not less than ten days prior to the council meeting at which it shall be placed upon its passage.
    Sec. 105.  Section 420.214, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   420.214  Sale of real estate —— notice.
   In the sale of real property for taxes and assessments, the notice of the time and place of such sale shall be given by the treasurer or the collector, and shall contain the description of each separate tract to be sold, as taken from the tax list; the amount of taxes for which it is liable, delinquent for each year, and the amount of penalty, interest, and cost thereon; the name of the owner, if known, or the person, if any, to whom it is taxable; by publication in some newspaper in the city once each week for two consecutive weeks as provided in chapter 618, the last of which shall be not more than two weeks before the date of such sale, and by posting a copy thereof at the door of the office of the collector or treasurer one week before the day of such sale.
    Sec. 106.  Section 420.286, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   420.286  Procedure.
   On the presentation of a petition signed by one-fourth of the electors, as shown by the vote at the next preceding city election, of any city acting under a special charter or act of incorporation, to the governing body of the city, asking that the question of the amendment of the special charter or act of incorporation be submitted to the electors of such city, the governing body shall immediately propose sections to amend the charter or act of incorporation, and shall submit the amendment, as requested, at the first ensuing city election. At least ten days before the election, the mayor of the city shall issue a proclamation setting forth the nature and character of the amendment, and shall cause the proclamation to be published in a newspaper published in the city, or, if there be none, the mayor shall cause the amendment to be posted in five public places in the city as provided in chapter 618. On the day specified, the proposition to adopt the amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the city for adoption or rejection, in the manner provided by the general election laws.
    Sec. 107.  Section 423A.7, subsection 4, paragraph f, subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (1)  A city or county acting on behalf of an unincorporated area may, in lieu of calling an election, institute proceedings for the issuance of bonds under this section by causing a notice of the proposal to issue the bonds, including a statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, together with the maximum rate of interest which that the bonds are to bear, and the right to petition for an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city or unincorporated area as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days prior to the meeting at which it is proposed to take action for the issuance of the bonds.
    Sec. 108.  Section 423B.9, subsection 4, paragraph a, subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (1)  A bond issuer may institute proceedings for the issuance of bonds by causing a notice of the proposal to issue the bonds, including a statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, together with the maximum rate of interest which that the bonds are to bear, and the right to petition for an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the political subdivision or unincorporated area as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days prior to the meeting at which it is proposed to take action for the issuance of the bonds.
    Sec. 109.  Section 423F.3, subsection 3, paragraph d, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   d.  The board secretary shall notify the county commissioner of elections of the intent to take an issue to the voters pursuant to paragraph “b” or “c”. The county commissioner of elections shall publish the notices required by law for special or general elections as provided in chapter 618, and the election shall be held on a date specified in section 39.2, subsection 4, paragraph “c”. A majority of those voting on the question must favor approval of the revenue purpose statement. If the proposal is not approved, the school district shall not submit the same or new revenue purpose statement to the electors for a period of six months from the date of the previous election.
    Sec. 110.  Section 423F.3, subsection 7, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Prior to approving the use of revenues received under this chapter for an athletic facility infrastructure project within the scope of the school district’s approved revenue purpose statement or pursuant to subsection 4 for a school district without an approved revenue statement, the board of directors shall adopt a resolution setting forth the proposal for the athletic facility infrastructure project and hold an additional public hearing on the issue of construction of the athletic facility. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the public hearing in a newspaper which is a newspaper of general circulation in the school district as provided in chapter 618. If at any time prior to the fifteenth day following the hearing, the secretary of the board of directors receives a petition containing the required number of signatures and asking that the question of the approval of the use of revenues for the athletic facility infrastructure project be submitted to the voters of the school district, the board of directors shall either rescind the board’s resolution for the use of revenues for the athletic facility infrastructure project or direct the county commissioner of elections to submit the question to the registered voters of the school district at an election held on a date specified in section 39.2, subsection 4, paragraph “c”. The petition must be signed by eligible electors equal in number to not less than one hundred or thirty percent of the number of voters at the last preceding election of school officials under section 277.1, whichever is greater. If a majority of those voting on the question favors the use of the revenues for the athletic facility infrastructure project, the board shall be authorized to approve such use by resolution of the board. If a majority of those voting on the question does not favor the use of the revenues for the athletic facility infrastructure project, the board of directors shall rescind the board’s resolution for the use of revenues for the athletic facility infrastructure project. If a petition is not received by the board of directors within the prescribed time period, the board of directors may approve the use of revenues for the athletic facility infrastructure project without voter approval.
    Sec. 111.  Section 423F.4, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Bonds issued on or after July 1, 2019, shall not be sold at public sale as provided in chapter 75, or at a private sale, without notice and hearing. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the public hearing in a newspaper which is a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 in the school district.
    Sec. 112.  Section 441.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The director of revenue shall conduct no more than one special examination for each vacancy in an assessing jurisdiction. The examination shall be conducted by the director of revenue as provided in section 441.5, except as otherwise provided in this section. The examining board shall give notice of holding the examination for assessor by posting a written notice in a conspicuous place in the county courthouse in the case of county assessors or in the city hall in the case of city assessors, stating that at a specified date, an examination for the position of assessor will be held at a specified place. Similar notice shall be given at the same time by one publication of the notice in three newspapers of general circulation in the case of a county assessor, or in case there are not three such newspapers in a county, then in newspapers which are available, or in one newspaper of general circulation in the city in the case of city assessor as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 113.  Section 441.26, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The notice in each odd-numbered year shall contain a statement that the assessments are subject to equalization pursuant to an order issued by the department of revenue, that the county auditor shall give notice on or before October 8 by publication in an official newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 to any class of property affected by the equalization order, that the county auditor shall give notice by mail postmarked on or before October 8 to each property owner or taxpayer whose valuation has been increased by the equalization order, and that the board of review shall be in session from October 10 to November 15 to hear protests of affected property owners or taxpayers whose valuations have been adjusted by the equalization order.
    Sec. 114.  Section 441.49, subsection 2, paragraph a, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   On or before October 8 the county auditor shall cause to be published in official newspapers of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 the final equalization order. The county auditor shall also notify each property owner or taxpayer whose valuation has been increased by the final equalization order by mail postmarked on or before October 8. The publication and the individual notice mailed to each property owner or taxpayer whose valuation has been increased shall include, in type larger than the remainder of the publication or notice, the following statements:
  Assessed values are equalized by the department of revenue every two years. Local taxing authorities determine the final tax levies and may reduce property tax rates to compensate for any increase in valuation due to equalization. If you are not satisfied that your assessment as adjusted by the equalization order is correct, you may file a protest against such assessment with the board of review on or after October 9, to and including October 31.
    Sec. 115.  Section 446.9, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  Publication of the date, time, and place of the annual tax sale shall be made once by the treasurer in at least one official newspaper in the county as selected by the board of supervisors and designated by the treasurer as provided in chapter 618 at least one week, but not more than three weeks, before the day of sale. The publication shall contain a description of the parcel to be sold that is clear, concise, and sufficient to distinguish the parcel to be sold from all other parcels. All items offered for sale pursuant to section 446.18 may be indicated by an “s” or by an asterisk. The publication shall also contain the name of the person in whose name the parcel to be sold is taxed and the amount delinquent for which the parcel is liable each year, the amount of the interest and fees, and the amount of the service fee as provided in section 446.10, subsection 2, all to be incorporated as a single sum. The publication shall contain a statement that, after the sale, if the parcel is not redeemed within the period provided in chapter 447, the right to redeem expires and a deed may be issued.
    Sec. 116.  Section 447.10, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   447.10  Service by publication —— fees.
   If notice in accordance with section 447.9 cannot be served upon a person entitled to notice in the manner prescribed in that section, then the holder of the certificate of purchase shall cause the required notice to be published once in an official newspaper in the county or, if applicable, as provided in chapter 618. If service is made by publication, the affidavit required by section 447.12 shall state the reason why service in accordance with section 447.9 could not be made. Service of notice by publication shall be deemed complete on the day of the publication. Fees for publication, if required under section 447.13, shall not exceed the customary publication fees for official county publications.
    Sec. 117.  Section 455B.305A, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Prior to the siting of a proposed new sanitary landfill or incinerator by a private agency disposing of waste which that the agency generates on property owned by the agency which that is located outside of the city limits and for which no county zoning ordinance exists, the private agency shall cause written notice of the proposal, including the nature of the proposed facility, and the right of the owner to submit a petition for formal siting of the proposed site, to be served either in person or by mail on the owners and residents of all property within two miles in each direction of the proposed local site area. The owners shall be identified based upon the authentic tax records of the county in which the proposed site is to be located. The private agency shall notify the county board of supervisors which that governs the county in which the site is to be located of the proposed siting, and certify that notices have been mailed to owners and residents of the impacted area. Written notice shall be published in the official newspaper, as selected by the county board of supervisors pursuant to section 349.1, of the county in which the site is located as provided in chapter 618. The notice shall state the name and address of the applicant, the location of the proposed site, the nature and size of the development, the nature of the activity proposed, the probable life of the proposed activity, and a description of the right of persons to comment on the request. If two hundred fifty or a minimum of twenty percent, whichever is less, of the owners and residents of property notified submit a petition for formal review to the county board of supervisors or if the county board of supervisors, on the board’s own motion, requires formal review of the proposed siting, the private agency proposal is subject to the formal siting procedures established pursuant to this section.
    Sec. 118.  Section 455B.305A, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Written notice shall be published in the official newspaper of the county in which the site is located as provided in chapter 618. The notice shall state the name and address of the applicant, the location of the proposed site, the nature and size of the development, the nature of the activity proposed, the probable life of the proposed activity, the date when the request for site approval will be submitted, and a description of the right of persons to comment on the request.
    Sec. 119.  Section 455B.305A, subsection 5, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   5.  At least one public hearing shall be held by the city council or county board of supervisors no sooner than ninety days but no later than one hundred twenty days from receipt of the request for siting approval. A hearing shall be preceded by published notice in an official newspaper of the county of the proposed site, including in any official newspaper located in the city of the proposed site as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 120.  Section 459.304, subsection 2, paragraph a, subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (1)  The board shall publish a notice that the board has received the application in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618.
    Sec. 121.  Section 468.34, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   468.34  Advertisement for bids.
   The board shall publish notice once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published as provided in chapter 618 in the county where the improvement is located, and publish additional advertisement and publication elsewhere as the board may direct. The notice shall state the time and place of letting the work of construction of the improvement, specifying the approximate amount of work to be done in each numbered section of the district, the time fixed for the commencement, and the time of the completion of the work, that bids will be received on the entire work and in sections or divisions of it, and that a bidder will be required to deposit a bid security with the county auditor as provided in section 468.35. All notices shall set the date that bids will be received and upon which the work will be let. However, when the estimated cost of the improvement is less than the adjusted competitive bid threshold, the board may let the contract for the construction without taking bids and without publishing notice.
    Sec. 122.  Section 468.82, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   468.82  Payment.
   The board, at the time of making the levy, shall fix a time within which all assessments in excess of one hundred dollars may be paid, and before any bonds are issued, publish notice in an official newspaper as provided in chapter 618 in the county where the district is located, of such time. After the expiration of such time, no assessments may be paid except in the manner and at the times fixed by the board in the resolution authorizing the issue of the bonds.
    Sec. 123.  Section 468.257, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  Except as otherwise required by section 468.16, the notice required by this section shall be served by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 in each county in which the overlying district’s land is situated. The publication shall be made not less than twenty days prior to the day set for the hearing. Proof of service shall be made by affidavit of the publisher.
    Sec. 124.  Section 468.507, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   468.507  Notice of election.
   The board, or, if in more than one county, the boards acting jointly, shall cause notice of said election to be given, setting forth the time and place of holding the same and the hours when the polls will open and close. Such notice shall be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper in which the official proceedings of the board are published as provided in chapter 618 in the county, or if the district extends into more than one county, then in such newspaper of as provided in chapter 618 in each county. The last of such publications shall not be less than ten days before the date of said election.
    Sec. 125.  Section 618.1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   618.1  Publications in English.
   1.  All notices, proceedings, and other matter whatsoever of a governmental entity, required by law or ordinance to be published in a newspaper, shall be published only in the English language and in newspapers published primarily in the English language on the statewide public notice internet site established pursuant to section 618.3A and on the government entity’s official internet site such that the notice is clearly identifiable and accessible, if such an internet site exists.
   2.  A governmental entity may elect via local ordinance to provide all notices, proceedings, and other matter whatsoever, required by law or ordinance to be published for publication in a newspaper should that government entity determine publication in a print edition of a newspaper is in the best interests of its constituents.
   3.  For purposes of this chapter, “governmental entity” means any county, city, township, school corporation, political subdivision, tax-supported district, or nonprofit corporation other than a fair conducting a fair event as provided in chapter 174, whose facilities or indebtedness are supported in whole or in part with property tax revenue and that is licensed to conduct pari-mutuel wagering pursuant to chapter 99D; or the governing body of a drainage or levee district as provided in chapter 468, including a board as defined in section 468.3, regardless of how the district is organized.
    Sec. 126.  Section 618.3, subsection 1, paragraph e, subparagraph (2), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (2)  Display a link conspicuously on the homepage of the internet site of the newspaper to the statewide public notice internet site established pursuant to section 618.3A if such an internet site exists.
    Sec. 127.  Section 618.3, subsection 1, paragraphs f and g, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows:
   f.  Publish the address of the statewide public notice internet site established pursuant to section 618.3A, if such an internet site exists, in each edition of the newspaper in the section of the newspaper regularly designated for the publication of public notices, and on the section of the newspaper’s internet site regularly designated for the publication of public notices, if the newspaper operates an internet site.
   g.  Post all notices and reports of proceedings required by statute to be published within the state by the newspaper to the statewide public notice internet site established pursuant to section 618.3A, if such an internet site exists, at no additional cost.
    Sec. 128.  Section 618.3, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  If no newspaper meeting the requirements of subsection 1, paragraphs “a” through “d”, is published in the jurisdiction of a governmental entity, the governmental entity may satisfy public notice requirements through publication in a newspaper meeting the requirements of subsection 1, paragraphs “a” and “c”, and on the statewide public notice internet site established pursuant to section 618.3A and on the governmental entity’s official internet site such that the notice is clearly identifiable and accessible, if such an internet site exists.
    Sec. 129.  Section 618.11, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3.  Notwithstanding section 618.3, subsection 1, paragraph “g”, the compensation for publication on the statewide public notice internet site established in section 618.3A shall be a rate determined by the department of administrative services annually, not to exceed any reasonable costs to maintain the statewide public notice internet site, beginning June 1, 2027, and each June 1 thereafter, the director of the department of administrative services shall publish this rate as a notice in the Iowa administrative bulletin prior to the first day of the following calendar month. The new rate shall be effective on the first day of the calendar month following its publication. The rate shall be calculated by applying the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers for the last available twelve-month period published in the federal register by the federal department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, to the existing rate as an increase or decrease in the rate rounded to the nearest dollar. The calculation and publication of the rate by the director of the department of administrative services shall be exempt from the provisions of chapters 17A and 25B.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  An electronic certificate of posting on the statewide public notice internet site shall be delivered to the governmental entity and constitute proof of publication for all legal purposes.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to local government including the approval of policies or rules of subunits of political subdivisions by ordinance and the posting of public notices.
   DIVISION I. The bill prohibits a department, office, or other subunit of a county or city from making internal policies or rules without the board of supervisors or council approving such action through an ordinance. The subunit must submit the policy or rule to the board of supervisors or city council for approval and the policy or rule must then be approved by ordinance adopted by the board of supervisors or city council. Any ordinance adopted by a county or city shall be accompanied with a cost analysis that presents the cost to taxpayers and businesses and other economic impacts of the ordinance. This information shall be made accessible to the public on the official internet site of the county or city.
   The bill applies to all policies, rules, and ordinances adopted or implemented on or after the effective date of this division of the bill.
   DIVISION II. The bill requires a governmental entity, as defined in the bill, to post a statutorily required public notice, as defined in the bill, on the statewide public notice internet site.
   The bill amends sections throughout the Code that require the publication of public notice to require the notice to be posted consistent with the requirements of the bill.