UPDATE, 3/27/2025: Senate Local government voted down HB1312 with a vote of 2-8. The language is now dead and cannot be brought back in an amendment or in conference committees.
Indiana lawmakers are considering House Bill 1312, a piece of legislation that could significantly impact how legal notices and classified ads are published in the state.
The bill, authored by Representative Jennifer Meltzer, proposes the creation of a state-run website for publishing legals and classified.
This move could divert revenue away from local newspapers and media outlets.
What Does HB 1312 Do?
HB 1312 aims to establish a centralized, state-operated platform for legal notices and classified advertisements.
Proponents argue that this would modernize the process, making it more accessible and cost-effective for businesses and government entities. Despite this, critics warn that the bill could have severe financial repercussions for local newspapers, which rely heavily on revenue from ads, especially legals and classified.
Local newspapers and HB 1312
Local newspapers across Indiana could face significant financial losses if HB 1312 passes. Legal notices and classifieds are a crucial source of income for many publications, especially smaller, community-based outlets.
By shifting these advertisements to a state-run website, businesses and individuals may opt for the cheaper or more convenient state platform, leaving newspapers with fewer clients and diminished earnings.
Industry experts estimate that this could cost newspapers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, potentially leading to layoffs, reduced coverage or even closures.
Who Opposes HB1312?
The bill has drawn sharp criticism from media organizations, including the Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA), which represents newspapers across Indiana.
Opponents argue that the bill undermines the role of local newspapers as community watchdogs and could harm the public’s access to reliable, independent information.
One of those opposers is president of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper Robert Shegog.
“At the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, we are deeply concerned about the implications of House Bill 1312 on public transparency and the vitality of local journalism,” Shegog said. “By allowing public notices to be published solely on government-operated websites, this bill risks marginalizing segments of our community who depend on newspapers for critical information.”
Additionally, Shegog said HB 1312 undermines the vital role of local newspapers, which have long been instrumental in ensuring government accountability and providing independent oversight of public institutions.
What Hoosiers can do about HB 1312
Indiana residents concerned about the potential impact of HB 1312 can take action by contacting their state representatives and senators to voice their opinions.
Public input is vital as the bill moves through the legislative process. Citizens can also attend committee hearings or submit written testimony to express their support or opposition.
While HB 1312 aims to modernize the publication of legal notices, its potential consequences for local media cannot be ignored. Newspapers play a critical role in keeping communities informed and holding local governments accountable. If passed, this bill could weaken the financial stability of Indiana’s media landscape, ultimately affecting the quality and availability of local news.
As the debate over HB 1312 continues, Hoosiers are encouraged to stay informed and engaged. The outcome of this legislation could have far-reaching implications for both the media industry and the public’s access to information.
“I urge legislators to consider this bill’s broader consequences and protect public access to information by ensuring public notices remain available in trusted local newspapers,” Shegog said. “Transparency, accountability and an informed citizenry must remain a top priority.”
For more details on HB 1312, visit the Indiana General Assembly’s website at iga.in.gov.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Tiktok @3Noral. For more news from the Indianapolis Recorder, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
