The bill amends the Open Records Act to establish reasonable fees for electronic copies of public records, ensuring that these fees do not exceed the actual cost of providing the records, including staff time. It introduces exemptions for records compiled during formally closed investigations with no violations found and for records containing obscene material. Additionally, it requires county or district attorneys to file reports of violations with the attorney general in October instead of January and mandates that public bodies ensure accessibility for live-streamed meetings. The bill also allows appeals regarding the reasonableness of fees charged for records within the executive branch to the secretary of administration and clarifies that public agencies are not obligated to provide electronic copies through personal devices.

Moreover, the bill creates a batterer intervention program certification unit within the attorney general's office, which will have access to domestic violence case records for certification purposes. It emphasizes transparency in public meetings by requiring agendas to be made available beforehand and allows for the use of recording devices under reasonable rules. The bill also clarifies that interactive communications among a majority of a public body must be open to the public and specifies that meetings of subcommittees must comply with open meeting requirements. It outlines exceptions to the open meetings law and revises justifications for entering closed meetings, limiting them to specific circumstances. The bill will take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 45-219, 75-7d01, 75-753, 75-4318, 45-221, 75-4319
As Amended by Senate Committee: 45-219, 75-7d01, 75-753, 75-4318, 75-4319, 45-221
{As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole}: 45-219, 75-7d01, 75-753, 75-4318, 75-4319, 45-221
As Amended by House Committee: 45-221, 45-219, 75-7d01, 75-753, 75-4318, 75-4319