The bill amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 and introduces new provisions regarding the handling of violations related to the issuance of bonds by governing bodies. Specifically, it establishes that if a circuit court finds a governing body or its member has violated the law concerning bond issuance, the court can only invalidate the action within thirty days of its occurrence. If the finding occurs after this period, the governing body must remedy the violation within thirty days by providing notice, disclosing the violation at a public meeting, and authorizing the action in question. Alternatively, the governing body may be required to pay a fine of $10,000 to the claimant.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the remedies provided are supplemental to other available remedies under the existing law and defines "bonds" to include various debt-related instruments. Importantly, the effectiveness of this amendment is contingent upon the enactment of SB227 by the Ninety-Fifth General Assembly; if SB227 does not pass, the provisions of this bill will not take effect.

Statutes affected:
SB 614: 25-19-106