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Haler's accountability bill
receives committee approval
Violators of the Open
Public Meetings Act (OPMA) are one step closer to paying a stiffer
penalty for holding meetings in secret.
House Bill 2567 passed out
of the State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee by an
8 - 0 vote today. The bill would increase the penalty for violating the
OPMA. The current penalty is $100, but if the bill is signed into law,
the penalty would range between $250 and $1,000.
The sponsor of the bill,
Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, was pleased with the committee's decision.
"The current penalty of $100 is not a meaningful deterrent for officials
who break the public's trust," said the 8th District lawmaker. "There
are too many individuals who knowingly violate the law and this bill
sends a clear message that you will be held accountable for your
actions."
The Legislature created
the OPMA in 1971, and it requires that all meetings of the governing
body of a public agency be open for anyone to attend.
"One hundred dollars meant
more in 1971," adds Haler. "It's not practical in 2008 to think a
hundred bucks is going to have the same effect. The goal of the bill is
to get officials to comply with the law - a stiffer penalty is a move in
the right direction."
House Bill 2567 will now
be referred to the Rules Committee for approval, and if it passes there,
it will be sent to the House Floor for a vote.
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For more information, contact:
Mike Deising, Public
Information Officer - (360) 786-7698
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