Sunshine law

The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed several measures allowing cameras in the courtroom, the Blog of Legal Times reports.

The Hawaii County Council will be legally barred from taking official government actions if it does not remedy an open meeting violation by Aug. 5, The Associated Press reported Monday.

In response to a lawsuit alleging that it was violating Florida's open record law, the National Collegiate Athletic Association agreed Tuesday to let Florida State University transcribe, redact and release a document regarding sanctions in an academic scandal, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.

A Philadelphia court ruled against the local news media Friday in a fight over the mayor and city council's alleged violation of the state's Sunshine Act in a closed-door meeting last week.

Florida State University is apparently giving the media the cold shoulder over a seemingly public record detailing NCAA claims of wrongdoing at the school.

A proponent of Everglades restoration is suing over the proposed U.S. Sugar Corp. deal in Florida, saying it was hashed out in meetings that violated state sunshine laws.

According to The Associated Press, Dexter Lehtinen filed his lawsuit Friday against the South Florida Water Management District saying the dealmakers ignored their obligation to provide advance notice of government meetings and agendas.

Prison parole hearings must balance individual privacy with the public's right to know, often resulting in conflict. In Nevada, convicted sex offender Robert Stockmeier sued the Lovelock State Prison after discovering the common practice of private psychological evaluations for determining parole might violate the state's open meeting law.

A major bill that would set up a five-member Public Information Board to enforce the state’s current “sunshine” laws passed the Iowa Senate on Monday night. 

The governor-appointed members of the board would help to mediate disputes between citizens and public agencies.  Advocates of the bill hope it passes in time to set up a board for this coming September.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met today to discuss seven pending bills, four of which have to do with open government.

A Duval County grand jury decided that while the Jacksonville City Council did violate parts of Florida’s Sunshine Law by holding dozens of private and undocumented meetings, there was no actual illegal activity that occurred.

A Florida Times-Union investigation led to the revelation of these clandestine meetings where public business was addressed. The city’s contracts to companies linked to friends of Mayor John Peyton were also examined under the investigation.