Open Advisory Committees

What's happening

Why it matters

1. 1

   Expands transparency requirements. By including "advisory committees" under the definition of "public body," the bill requires these groups—often influential in shaping policy recommendations—to comply with open meetings laws, making their deliberations accessible to the public.

2. 2

   Limits decision-making in secret. Advisory committees, which previously could meet privately, must now hold open sessions, reducing the risk of decisions or advice being shaped out of public view and enhancing government accountability.

3. 3

   Increases public participation opportunities. Members of the public, journalists, and stakeholders gain the right to attend and observe meetings of advisory committees, potentially influencing policy by providing input or scrutiny during the early stages of government decision-making.

4. 4

   Signals a broader commitment to openness. This change may affect a wide range of governmental bodies at all levels, reflecting a legislative intent to ensure transparency throughout the policy-making process, not just at the level of final decision-makers.

Who cares

• Government advisory committees

  The bill would explicitly include advisory committees of public bodies in the definition of a public body under the Open Meetings Law.

• State agencies and public corporations

  Their advisory committees would be expressly covered by the law’s definition, affecting how those committees conduct meetings.

• Reporters and open-government advocates

  The bill would give them explicit statutory grounds to seek Open Meetings Law access to advisory committee meetings.

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History

Companion bill

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