(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has approved a bill to clarify that state and local governments must let the public know, in advance, when and where meetings will be held — and what will be discussed. Representative Brent Siegrist of Council Bluffs says it’s about making sure Iowa has the best open meetings, open records law.  “It simply says if a media outlet has requested the information, you have to provide it,” Siegrist said. “Number two, you have to provide a conspicuous place where you can post that agenda so anybody can see it at any time. If they have an internet site, then they need to post it on the internet site. If the agenda has been amended, you have to make an effort to make sure people who asked for the information know it’s been amended and if the meeting is cancelled, you need to post that as soon as humanly possible.”

A year ago, the legislature passed a different bill to increase the fines for Iowa officials who violate Iowa’s open meetings law and letting a judge remove officials who repeatedly violate the law. Governor Reynolds vetoed the measure. She said language added in the senate that changed the definition of a meeting was unnecessary and would cause confusion. The bill that cleared the House on a 94-to-one vote yesterday (Tuesday) does not mention penalties for violating Iowa’s sunshine law. It only clarifies the law’s requirements for meeting notices and agendas.