The beginning of the 2012 legislative session in Virginia brings us 4 bills which propose to change the way the public is notified.  All 4 were introduced this week. All reflect that it is much more efficient to notify the public on line than it is in print. In the market driven world, Craig's List has already proven this as classified advertising has left print behind.

• House Bill 234- Changes the newspaper advertisement requirements for the sale of foreclosed timeshare properties. Refers parties to a website which lists all pertinent information in lieu of a full printing in the newspaper advertisement. (Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice)
• House Bill 773 - Gives localities alternatives to publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality for legal ads and other notices of proposed action . (Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns)
• House Bill 812 - Eliminates the requirement that the Department of Historic Resources publish a notice of a public hearing on the designation or nomination of a historic district in a newspaper once a week for two successive weeks. (Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources)
• House Bill 222 - Allows localities to meet certain notice requirements by utilizing their web sites, radio or television rather than a newspaper of general circulation. ( Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice) We covered this bill's introduction earlier this week.