Tenn. House sends public notices bill to governor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee House has given final approval to a bill requiring public notices to be published on newspaper websites, sending the measure for the governor's signature.

The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Ryan Haynes of Knoxville would maintain a requirement for public notices to be published in the print editions of newspapers. It would also create a statewide online clearinghouse for all notices.

The measure was approved on a 94-1 vote on Monday evening. The Senate approved its version of the bill on a 31-1 vote earlier this month.

Haynes said the bill would not allow newspapers to charge more for the online notices. He said the Tennessee Press Association called for the changes in the interest of enhanced transparency.