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Friday, January 26, 2007

Ind. Gov't - Serial meeting bill passes House, but with questions

Niki Kelly writes today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to outlaw the practice of public officials using “serial meetings” to take official public action behind closed doors.

The 89-7 vote in support of House Bill 1129 sends the legislation to the Senate for consideration. A similar bill is also being heard in that chamber. * * *

But several lawmakers had questions about the practical effect of the bill, including whether a mayor could have one-on-one meetings with city council members to give them information on a proposal or plan.

After some confusion, the author clarified that the bill allows for such action.

Rep. Dave Wolkins, R-Winona Lake, also said that the bill does not address phone calls and e-mails.

“Do you really think this will change how boards do things?” he asked. * * *

“There are a lot of questions on what constitutes official action,” [Rep. Matt Bell, R-Avilla] said. “It could put well-meaning people in a bad light.”

From the Evansville Courier & Press:
The Indiana House passed a bill Thursday that would prohibit so-called "serial meetings" - separate gatherings of less than a quorum of government officials to conduct official business behind closed doors.

House Bill 1129, approved 89-7 and sent to the state Senate, would close what proponents call a loophole in Indiana law that allowed Indiana University's board of trustees to meet without public notice to discuss basketball coach Bob Knight's fate shortly before his firing in September 2000.

A loophole in Indiana's Open Door Law allows such meetings, but they would not be permitted under the bill. It was authored by state Rep. Russ Stilwell, D-Boonville, and co-authored by House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, and three others.

Take a look at HB 1129 yourself, especially pp. 3-4.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 26, 2007 09:48 AM
Posted to Indiana Government