Open meetings are important to our work
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.
HF2490 (formerly HSB578) - This bill requires the act of giving notice of a meeting of a governmental body to include (1) advising the news media who have filed a request for notice with the governmental body; (2) posting the notice in a prominent and conspicuous place that is designated annually by the governmental body, in a manner such that the notice is visible at all times; and (3) posting the notice on any associated internet site. If a tentative agenda has been posted and is amended, the amended agenda shall be marked “AMENDED”, the amended provisions identified, and a new notice provided. This bill passed in the House 88 to 1. The Senate passed the bill 44 to 0 with an amendment. The amended bill must now be passed by the House.
Ask your state representative to support HF2490. To look up your House member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house and to find your legislators, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find