HF 416: Relating to open meetings and open records, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable

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.

House subcommittee · named February 18, 2025

• Rep. Brent Siegrist (R) · brent.siegrist@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Jennifer J. Smith (R) · jennifer.smith@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Ross Wilburn (D) · ross.wilburn@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 2 against

For: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Iowa Broadcasters Association; Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club; Iowa Freedom of Information Council; Iowa Newspaper Association

Against: Iowa Broadcasters Association; Iowa Newspaper Association

In plain words

1. February 13, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the State Government committee
2. February 18, 2025House subcommittee named: Siegrist, Smith and Wilburn
3. February 19, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 26, 2025Approved by the House committee
5. February 26, 2025Committee vote: 23–0
6. February 28, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 706
7. March 31, 2025Withdrawn