HB 316 -- Open Meetings and Records Law

Sponsor:  Jones (89)

This bill changes the laws regarding the Open Meetings and
Records Law, commonly known as the Sunshine Law.  In its main
provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires all records of the Missouri Ethics Commission to be
open records except for any investigative reports prepared by
commission employees regarding complaints until a decision is
rendered and any reports of complaints that the commission
dismisses;

(2)  Requires all meetings of the commission to be open except
those in which the commission discusses a pending complaint;

(3)  Specifies that a "quasi-public governmental body" will
include any association that receives public funding through dues
paid by a public governmental body or its members;

(4)  Revises the definition of "public meeting" to include any
gathering of newly elected members who haven't taken office, with
or without current members, discussing public business which
would be considered a quorum;

(5)  Specifies that only members of a public governmental body,
their attorneys and staff assistants, and any necessary witnesses
will be permitted in any closed meeting of the governmental body;

(6)  Requires a court to order the reimbursement of reasonable
costs and attorney fees to the party successfully seeking
disclosure of information contained in an investigative report
compiled by a law enforcement agency that would otherwise be
closed to inspection.  Currently, reimbursement is at the court's
discretion; and

(7)  Requires any public meeting of a public governmental body
addressing issues regarding a fee or tax increase, eminent
domain, zoning, transportation development districts, or tax
increment financing to give at least five days' notice prior to
the meeting, exclusive of weekends and holidays when the facility
is closed.  The meetings must allow time for public comment.  If
proper notice is not given, discussion on the issue will be
postponed and no vote will be taken for at least 30 days.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am