Courts removed from the so-called Sunshine Act

The bill (HB87) would allow voters to consider a state constitutional amendment declaring most government records would be open to the public. All current exemptions would still be in place, but any new exemptions would need a super majority vote in the legislature. An amendment in the House Rules Committee today (Wednesday, March 16) removed the Judicial branch of government from the measure. Democratic Representatives Bill Faison and Joe Hackney said they were concerned the bill would jeopardize the confidentiality of some court records. Faison introduced an amendment to remove the courts from the bill and it passed. The committee passed the proposal. Bill sponsor Republican Representative Steve LaRoque said the courts could be put back in the bill on the floor.