HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) commended Senate State Government Committee Chairman John DiSanto (R-Dauphin/Perry) and members of the committee for passing his legislation that would amend the Sunshine Act to require a public agency to post public meeting agendas no later than 24 hours prior to the start of a meeting.
“This bill is a commonsense and critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to increasing transparency and ensuring government officials think twice about letting important business fly under the taxpayers’ radar,” said Bernstine. “In today’s fast-paced world, it is important that we give our constituents the tools they need to participate in government in a meaningful way.”
House Bill 1069 would also prohibit an agency from taking official action on items not on the meeting agenda unless added by a majority vote. In addition, the legislation would require the agenda to be posted at the location of the meeting, on the agency’s public website and copies be made available to those in attendance.
“Sunshine Act reform bills have been considered by the Legislature in recent years without success,” said Bernstine. “However, House Bill 1069 was passed unanimously by the House in January and today by the Senate State Government Committee. A well-informed populace is essential to the vitality of our democratic form of government.
“It is time to eradicate backroom deals and unannounced decisions. They can have a big impact on our lives, and we deserve to know about them. It is essential that we get this legislation across the finish line and there is no better time than now.”
House Bill 1069 is now headed to the full Senate for consideration.
For the latest legislative updates and upcoming district event information, visit www.RepBernstine.com or www.Facebook.com/RepBernstine.
In my advocacy for propriety in public education, I deal with the Sunshine Act often. This Bill does not increase transparency at all. Nor does it provide adequate “notice and opportunity to comment meaningfully” before a public school board votes on an action resolution.
How can anyone make meaningful comment on any matter of public importance and public concern, when they are notified of the Agenda and the impending action the day before the action meeting of a school board or any public agency. The Core Value of the First Amendment is the right to speak out on matters of public importance.
What this Bill allows and codifies as normal process are known as “walk on resolutions.”
Both the Agenda and “all proposed resolutions” should be posted publicly two weeks before the action meeting wherein it will be voted upon. That will enable persons and advocacy groups to speak in an informed and meaningful manner at the action meeting “before” any resolution is passed. That is a “participatory due process” right which is protected.
This Bill allows public agencies to hide proposed action items until the day before the meeting and even without any adequate public notice. This Bill will decrease transparency and allow the back room dealings to be ratified without the public’s right to know, right to speak, and right to participate meaningfully in the governance of our public schools and our state and local agencies.