Assembly Bill 487 proposes amendments to existing statutes regarding the ability of certain governmental bodies in Wisconsin to hold closed sessions specifically for discussing information technology security issues. The bill allows the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, the Ethics Commission, the Elections Commission, the Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to meet in closed session to consider matters related to information technology security affecting their respective jurisdictions. Additionally, it establishes that records pertaining to these closed sessions will not be publicly accessible unless authorized by statute, although they may be shared with the aforementioned committees for consideration in closed session.

The bill also introduces new provisions requiring the committees to periodically prepare and publish summaries of the information technology security issues discussed in closed sessions, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential. Notably, the bill amends the existing law to change the identification of reasons for convening in closed session from sub-sections (a) to (h) to (a) to (i), thereby expanding the scope of permissible reasons for such meetings. Overall, this legislation aims to enhance the security of information technology systems while maintaining a level of transparency through the publication of summaries.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 19.851(1), 19.851