Lawmakers send Shapiro bill to close meeting notice loophole in Pennsylvania transparency law
Pennsylvania lawmakers have delivered a bill to Governor Josh Shapiro that closes a loophole in the state's government transparency law, known as the Sunshine Act. This law mandates that local and state government bodies publicly announce their voting agendas 24 hours prior to public meetings, ensuring that citizens have ample opportunity to voice their opinions on the decisions being made.
The bill, authored by Senators Patrick Stefano and Jarrett Coleman, addresses the recent Supreme Court decision that expanded the exceptions to the 24-hour notice requirement. The court's ruling allowed governments to use limited exceptions for emergency matters, minor and specific administrative matters, and issues raised by residents or taxpayers during a meeting that necessitated an immediate vote or referral to staff. It also permitted a last-minute item to be added to the agenda through a simple majority vote.
Good-government advocates raised concerns that this decision might enable government bodies to sneak in votes on potentially controversial or unpopular issues. The bill unanimously passed the state Senate in June and the House on Wednesday, signaling that it is likely to be the final formal vote of the two-year legislative session.
Governor Shapiro has signaled his intention to sign the bill. The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, which supported closing the loophole, acknowledged one instance where the controversy over the 24-hour rule emerged following the Supreme Court decision. In December, the Greater Latrobe School Board hired a new solicitor, with key details withheld in the meeting agenda's description.
The bill by Stefano and Coleman clarifies that the majority-vote clause is a procedural tactic, not a standalone exception. It aims to uphold the spirit of the Sunshine Act, which is to increase voter participation in government, while providing local jurisdictions with the flexibility to carry out legitimate business.
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