Bill to change definition of legal newspaper clears first hurdle

Date:

By Dana Hess

For the S.D. NewsMedia Association

            PIERRE—After fighting off two attempts in the 2023 legislative session to change the definition of a legal newspaper, the South Dakota Newspaper Association has changed its name and its attitude toward free newspapers.

            On Friday, the Senate Local Government Committee unanimously endorsed SB75 which makes the changes necessary to the definition of a legal newspaper to allow free publications like The Dakota Scout of Sioux Falls and The Aberdeen Insider to publish public notices.

            Speaking in favor of the bill was David Bordewyk, executive director of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association. Formerly the South Dakota Newspaper Association, Bordewyk said SDNA now represents the state’s newspapers as well as various digital-first outlets in the state.

            “This bill recognizes the change in trends occurring in the news environment nationwide and also in our state,” Bordewyk said. “It’s a good, proactive step toward keeping pace with those trends.”

            Bordewyk explained that the bill allows free distribution newspapers to become the official newspaper for local government entities like school boards, county commissions and city councils. The criteria for a free distribution newspaper to publish the minutes of meetings and bid notices is that it must have a print publication of at least 500 copies, at least 200 online subscribers and have its circulation audited annually by a recognized auditing agency.

            Free distribution newspapers must also meet the same criteria as subscriber-based newspapers on frequency of publication, percentage of news content, maintaining an office and office hours and publishing an annual statement of publication.

            “Senate Bill 75 contains strong safeguards to ensure that public notices are delivered to an intended audience and community served by the newspaper,” Bordewyk said.

            Last year’s attempts to change the definition of a legal newspaper were accompanied by complaints about daily newspapers in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen and Watertown that are owned by Gannett. Corporate decisions have led to those newspapers cutting staff as well as local news content.

            Speaking in favor of this year’s bill were representatives of The Dakota Scout and The Aberdeen Insider.

            Troy McQuillen, publisher of The Aberdeen Insider, said his publication has been contacted by schools, the county and the city about the possibility of placing public notices in his free weekly newspaper.

            “We are experiencing a tremendous need in our community for the ability to post legal postings,” McQuillen said.

            Also testifying in favor of the bill were the South Dakota Municipal League and the South Dakota Association of Towns and Townships.

            There was no testimony in opposition to the bill.

            Committee member Randy Deibert, R-Spearfish, said he has witnessed a trend in which ownership of local newspapers by large corporations leads to less local news.

            “If we can reinvest in local newspapers and local news, I support that,” Deibert said.

            Committee chairman Tim Reed, R-Brookings, praised the quality of the work of what he called the “newer type of news media. But we had to make sure we were protecting public notices. That’s something that newspapers have provided for years.”

            The bill was endorsed on a 7-0 vote and now goes to the full Senate.

Share post:

spot_img

Related articles

Legislative committee punts on app store regulation, endorses age verification for adult websites

By John Hult, SD Searchlight             A South Dakota summer legislative study committee has endorsed a bill that would require...

Carrie Moritz and the Garretson Gazette earn more peer accolades for reporting and photography

            This past weekend, the Gazette was honored with first and second place awards at the Better Newspapers...

Lawmakers face a ‘back to normal’ budget future after allocating last of federal pandemic aid

By: Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight The South Dakota Legislature allocated the last of its federal pandemic aid earlier this...

‘Syrup-gate’ exposes the folly of legislative commemorations

Editorial by Dana Hess, South Dakota Searchlight What’s the last week of the legislative session without a little controversy?...

Log In

Latest articles

Phase One of 4th street project nears completion

Concrete crews have completed all concrete work on 4th Street, Center Avenue and Canyon Avenue including curb and...

Williamson proud of his service & grateful for the Honor Flight

By Garrick Moritz, Gazette Mark Williamson was pretty humble about his recent trip to Washington DC on an Honor...

Jasper man dies in fatal crash

Minnehaha County, S.D.- A Jasper, MN man died in a collision Thursday evening, November 14, three miles north...

Pierret Benefit Well Supported

Though we have not received the final tally of funds raised at the Mark Pierret Benefit held on...

GHS Football celebrates players

The GHS Annual Football Banquet honored the parents and players after a rough season on Monday, Nov. 18. The...

A new sport at Garretson

The rise of powerlifting across the state has found its way back to the Blue Dragons by Delilah Johnson,...
s2Member®