HB216 Summary

• Allows municipalities with 2,000+ population to publish a synopsis of ordinances relating to planning, zoning, or business licensing instead of the full ordinance text in newspapers.

• Synopsis must include: summary of purpose and effect, description of affected properties (for planning/zoning) or business categories (for licensing), passage and effective dates, and information on obtaining the full ordinance from the city or town clerk.

• Ordinances published in newspapers take effect immediately; ordinances published by posting take effect 5 days after posting, with municipalities required to maintain postings for 30 days and include ordinances on municipal websites for 30 days if a website exists.

• Immediately following ordinance records, the city clerk must append a certificate stating the time and manner of publication, which serves as presumptive evidence of proper publication.

• Act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.