The bill amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 to enhance transparency and accessibility in public meetings. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "background and nondecisional information," "cybersecurity," "deliberation," and "poll," which clarify the scope of information relevant to public meetings. The legislation mandates that governing bodies provide prior notice of meetings, record them, and ensure public access, including the option for remote participation. Additionally, it revises the conditions for holding executive sessions, allowing discussions on cybersecurity breaches and public water system security, while requiring that decisions made in these sessions be disclosed in public meetings afterward.

Moreover, the bill establishes specific requirements for the conduct and recording of public meetings, including maintaining recordings for at least one year and ensuring reasonable access for residents, including remote attendance. It prohibits unauthorized deliberation among governing body members outside of public meetings and outlines judicial remedies for violations, such as invalidating actions taken during unlawful meetings. The legislation also clarifies that members attending remotely will not receive mileage or per diem for their attendance, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and accountability in public governance.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB227 V2 - 2-20-2025 11:00 AM: 25-19-103(6), 25-19-103
Old version SB227 V3 - 2-26-2025 11:14 AM: 25-19-103(6), 25-19-103
Old version SB227 V4 - 3-3-2025 10:57 AM: 25-19-103(6), 25-19-103
Old version SB227 V5 - 3-10-2025 10:27 AM: 25-19-103(6), 25-19-103
Old version SB227 Original - 2-13-2025 10:34 AM: 25-19-103(6), 25-19-103
SB 227: 25-19-103(6), 25-19-103