AP – Miss. Senate panels OKs stronger open meetings law

AP – Miss. Senate panels OKs stronger open meetings law

JACKSON — A bill designed to strengthen Mississippi’s open records and public meetings laws has passed the Senate Ethics and Judiciary B committees.

Under the Senate bill, the state Ethics Commission or a chancery court could nullify any action that occurs during an illegally closed meeting. The bill also would impose a fine of up to $1,000 on any person found violating the law.

The bill would set a $100 fine per violation to anyone wrongfully denying a person access to public records. The bill would require public officials who violate the law to pay reasonable attorneys’ fees to the person filing the complaint. No public money could be used to pay the fine or fees.

AP
1/19/10