This bill amends existing laws regarding open meetings and open records in Iowa, specifically increasing the penalties for violations. Under the new provisions, damages for members of a governmental body who participate in violations will range from $500 to $2,500, up from the previous range of $100 to $500. If a violation is knowingly committed, the damages will increase significantly to between $5,000 and $12,500, compared to the previous range of $1,000 to $2,500. Additionally, the bill mandates that a member of a governmental body must be removed from office if they have previously violated the open meetings law, regardless of whether damages were assessed during their term.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a requirement for newly elected or appointed public officials who are members of governmental bodies to complete a training course on their responsibilities under the open meetings and open records laws within 90 days of taking office. The Iowa public information board is tasked with ensuring that this training is available, including at least one no-cost option. If members fail to complete the training within 60 days, they may be subject to damages as outlined in the bill. The training requirements do not apply to members of the judicial or legislative branches or the governor's office.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21.6