Open-government bill watered down to win approval

The Iowa House passed a bill that revises the state's open records laws, The Des Moines Register reported. The original bill contained plans to keep citizens informed of major government decisions, such as the search for a new university president, and to establish a board that would review public records complaints and acts as an enforcement agency. Both sections were watered down to meet approval.

A watered-down version of a plan to update Iowa’s open records laws was passed by the House today with promises from lawmakers that much more will be done in the future.

“This bill is not going to make everyone happy and it shouldn’t,” said Rep. Vicki Lensing, D-Iowa City, who led debate on the bill. “This is going to be a fluid, continuing process.”

Citizens who are refused public documents often either give up or are left spending thousands of dollars in attorney fees, supporters of the legislation have said.

More here.