A proposal by a local lawmaker to improve government transparency and access to public information is advancing closer to becoming law.
The Senate State Government Committee has passed House Bill 1069 to expand the state’s Sunshine Act. This bill is authored by State Representative Aaron Bernstine- who represents constituents in Slippery Rock.
The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act requires state and local agencies to deliberate and take official action on agency business in an open and public meeting. But- while agencies are required to give notice when a meeting will be held, they are not required to include the purpose of the meeting.
Bernstine’s proposal would require all government bodies to post an agenda 24 hours before a voting meeting that includes a list of each matter that will be the subject of official action or deliberation. Meeting agendas could only be modified by majority vote. Agendas would also be required to be posted to the agency’s website and made available to those attending the meeting in person.
This bill already passed the state house and will next head to the full senate for consideration and vote.
