MACo’ Associate Director, Les Knapp, Jr. along with Takoma Park Mayor, Bruce Williams,  Poolesville Mayor Eddie Kuhlman and Robert Bates, Office of Intergovernmental Relations for Montgomery County, testified before the House Environmental Matters Committee on March 3 in support of House Bill 909.  The bill, sponsored by Delegate Kirill Reznik would authorize a county or municipality to satisfy a requirement to publish legal notices in a newspaper of general circulation by posting the notices on its Web site.  In recognition of those citizens that do use the Internet or lack Internet access, local governments that choose to publish some or all of their legal notices electronically must also offer a free mail subscription service to their residents.

Mr. Knapp and Mr. Bates discussed the increased usage of the Internet, as well as the benefits and notice protections of the bill.  The Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Press Association and various newspapers opposed the bill.