Open Meetings, Open Records

The Senate State Government Committee met on Monday and considered HF 777, the open meetings/open records bill. This bill reflected the compromise that was worked out among the interest groups last year. The bill sponsor, Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque), announced that there would be a strike-and-replace amendment that would include only the creation of the “Iowa Public Information Board” with powers to enforce the requirements of Chapters 21 and 22. The funding for the first year of the Board is slated to come from the Freedom of Information Council. After the first year, it is projected that the State Legislature will need to find $600,000 to fund the ongoing operation of the commission. ISAC is opposed to this bill after the amendment.