The Iowa House has approved a bill to clarify that state and local governments must let the public know, in advance, when and where meetings will be held — and what will be discussed. Representative Brent Siegrist of Council Bluffs says it’s about making sure Iowa has the best open meetings, open records law.
A year ago, the legislature passed a different bill to increase the fines for Iowa officials who violate Iowa’s open meetings law and letting a judge remove officials who repeatedly violate the law. Governor Reynolds vetoed the measure. She said language added in the senate that changed the definition of a meeting was unnecessary and would cause confusion. The bill that cleared the House on a 94-to-one vote Tuesday does not mention penalties for violating Iowa’s sunshine law. It only clarifies the law’s requirements for meeting notices and agendas.
