HB 1676: Open public meetings act

Summary

• Authorizes governing bodies of public agencies to record executive session.
• Authorizes a judge to require a governing body found in violation of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) to record executive sessions for two years.
• Exempts recordings of executive sessions from disclosure under the Public Records Act.
• Provides a public agency conditional immunity from liability for damages to any person that are the consequence of specific actions made without legal authority in an executive session so long as self-disclosure occurs prior to final action and there is no actual or anticipated litigation.
• Authorizes the Attorney General (AG) and the State Auditor to appoint an advisory committee to make recommendations on the adoption of model rules for the OPMA.
• Requires each elected or appointed official who is a member of a public agency governing board subject to the OPMA to receive certificated training within 90 days of the AG ’ s adoption of model rules or within 90 days of assuming office.

From the House Bill Analysis 2009 (HB 1676), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗