The Sierra Club's work depends on access to public records and open public meetings.  Several bills have been introduced in the Iowa legislature would improve open records and open meetings laws.

If government is able to keep public records secret, then the public does not have important information to use in supporting or opposing projects.  Sometimes officials attempt to hide embarrassing details or mistakes from the public.  There are some types of records, such as income tax and medical records, which are confidential and, thus, are not available for public review.  It is necessary to have enough time to challenge a denial of an open records request for material that should be public record.

Likewise, some government bodies try to deny the public access to meetings that should be open to the public.

How you can help

A summary of the legislation and how to contact the legislators follows.

HF2294 (formerly HSB580) - If you do not get a response to an open records request or you have been denied records you believe you should have access to under the open records act, you can appeal that decision to the Public Information Review Board.  Likewise complaints about open meetings can be taken to the Public Information Review Board.  Currently you have 60 days to file a complaint; this bill changes that to 90 days.   It makes sense to extend the time to file a complaint to 90 days, giving people a little more time to collect information to file a complaint.  This bill passed the House 89 to 0.  It has now moved to the Senate.   

1. Ask the State Government subcommittee to support HF2494.  Their emails are ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov , jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov , art.staed@legis.iowa.gov , 
2. Ask your state senator to support HF2294. To find your state senator's email address, Iowa Legislature - Senators ; to locate your state senator, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find   

HF2330 (formerly HSB582) - This bill sets requirements for records custodians who receive open records requests.  First, the custodian should acknowledge the request and provide contact information for the person designated to handle the request.  Second, an approximate date that the request will be responded to and an estimate of any fees associated with the request.  Third, the requester should be informed of delays the custodian is having in responding to the request.  This bill passed in the House 89 to 0.  It has moved to the Senate.  

1. Ask the State Government subcommittee to support HF2330.  Their emails are ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov , jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov , cindy.winckler@legis.iowa.gov

2. Ask your state senator to support HF2330.  To look up your Senate member, see Iowa Legislature - Senators , www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house , or to Find your legislator