Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to penalties associated with open meetings violations. Vetoed 5-17-24
Sponsored by the House State Government Committee
Topics:State government
Same legislation: HF 2062
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 17, 2024
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 18, 2024
- Done: House committeeFebruary 13, 2024
- Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 22, 202492–2
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 13, 2024
- Done: Passes the SenateApril 18, 202446–0
- Done: To the GovernorApril 26, 2024
- Stopped: VetoedMay 17, 2024
Vetoed What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
Under current law, a court is required to assess a person who participated in a violation of Code chapter (open meetings) damages between $100 and $500. This bill increases the damages to between $500 and $2,500. Under current law, if a violation was knowingly committed, a court is required to assess the person damages between $1,000 and $2,500. The bill increases the damages to between $5,000 and $12,500. The bill requires a court to issue an order removing a member of a governmental body from office if that member has engaged in a prior violation of Code chapter regardless of whether damages were assessed against the member during the member’s term, which is a prerequisite to removal under current law.
Read the full explanation
The bill requires an elected or appointed public official who is a member of a governmental body to complete a course of training regarding the responsibilities of the governmental body and the governmental body’s members under Code chapters and (open records) not later than the 90th day after the date the member does one of the following: (1) takes the oath of office, (2) assumes responsibilities, if the member is not required to take an oath of office, or (3) is reelected or reappointed to the position. The bill requires the Iowa public information board to ensure that the training is made available. The board may provide the training and approve any acceptable course of training offered by a governmental body or other entity. The board shall ensure that at least one course of training approved or provided by the board is available at no cost. The bill requires the board or other entity providing the training to provide a certificate of course completion, which the governmental body must make available for public inspection. The bill provides that if a member fails to complete the required training, the failure does not affect the validity of an action taken by the governmental body.6.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text · What changed before it passed
Senate subcommittee
Named February 27, 2024. On March 6, 2024 it recommended amendment and passage. [].
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
Minimal Compare with other bills
The fiscal impact of HF 2539 is anticipated to be minimal. Source Iowa Public Information Board /s/ Jennifer Acton May 14, 2024 Doc ID 1449682 The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in developing this fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services Agency upon request.
- Final Fiscal Note — Public Records, Education and Enforcement · May 14, 2024
- Public Records, Education and Enforcement · February 21, 2024
Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§21.12
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
2 for · 1 against · 24 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.
90th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.
Similar bills
- HF 416 Relating to open meetings and open records, providing penalties, and making penalties appl…91st General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 706Very similar
Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.