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CS/HB 361 — Public Meetings/Criminal Justice Commissions
by Criminal Justice Subcommittee and Reps. Kerner, Campbell, and others (SB 1042 by Senator Abruzzo)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Criminal Justice Committee (CJ)
The bill creates a public meetings exemption for that portion of a meeting of a “duly constituted criminal justice commission” (commission) at which members of the commission discuss active criminal intelligence information or active criminal investigative information that is currently being considered by, or which may foreseeably come before, the commission, provided that at any public meeting at which such matter is being considered, the commission members publicly disclose the fact that the matter has been discussed.
The bill defines the term “duly constituted criminal justice commission” as an advisory commission created by municipal or county ordinance whose membership is comprised of individuals from the private sector and the public sector and whose purpose is to examine local criminal justice issues.
The bill specifies that the exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and stands repealed on October 2, 2018, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature. The bill also provides a statement of public necessity for the exemption as required by the State Constitution.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2013.
Vote: Senate 35-1; House 112-0