Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to government bodies for purposes of open records, and making penalties applicable
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 29, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 29, 2025
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 3, 2025
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 503
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 503 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 503 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary This bill expands the definition of a government body to include certain organizations that work for cities or townships. These groups would now have to follow the same public record laws as other government agencies. It also means that officials in these organizations could face criminal penalties if they intentionally falsify public documents.1
Read the official explanation
This bill amends the definition of “government body” in Code chapter (open records) to include an instrumentality of a city or township, thereby subjecting such instrumentalities to open records requirements and associated civil penalties applicable to government bodies.1 (felonious misconduct in office). _____ will become a public record of a government body, commits a class “D” felony. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 29, 2025. On February 24, 2025 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
AI summary Senate File 503 expands the definition of a government body to include certain instrumentalities of cities, counties, or townships. The fiscal impact of this bill cannot be determined but is anticipated to be minimal. Any resulting costs to the state's General Fund would be incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the Department of Corrections.3
From the note: The fiscal impact of Senate File 503 cannot be determined but is anticipated to be minimal. The average State cost for a Class D felony is between $13,000 and $18,100. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the DOC. The costs would be incurred across multiple fiscal years for prison and parole supervision.
- Public Records, Government Bodies · March 4, 2026 · $18,100
- Public Records, Government Bodies · March 4, 2026 · $18,100
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91st General Assembly