HF 2539: Relating to penalties associated with open meetings violations. Vetoed 5-17-24

What it does

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.

Senate subcommittee · named February 27, 2024

• Sen. Scott Webster (R) · scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Eric Giddens (D)
• Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink (R) · tim.kraayenbrink@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 2 for, 1 against

For: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Iowa Freedom of Information Council

Against: Iowa Association of School Boards

In plain words

1. February 15, 2024Filed in the House
2. February 21, 2024Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
3. February 22, 2024Passed the House, 92–2
4. February 26, 2024Arrived in the Senate
5. February 27, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Webster, Giddens and Kraayenbrink
6. March 6, 2024Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes
7. March 13, 2024Approved by the Senate committee
8. April 18, 2024Passed the Senate, 46–0
9. April 18, 2024Passed the House, 87–6
10. April 26, 2024Sent to the Governor
11. May 14, 2024Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
12. May 17, 2024Vetoed by the Governor