Download Zipped Enrolled WordPerfect SB0038.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

S.B. 38 Enrolled

             1     

TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT

             2     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Wayne L. Niederhauser

             5     
House Sponsor: John Dougall

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Utah Administrative Services Code by providing that certain public
             10      financial information be made available on the Internet and modifies certain notice
             11      requirements of the Open and Public Meetings Act.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    extends the date that notice of open and public meetings must be placed on the Utah
             15      Public Notice Website from April 1, 2008 to October 1, 2008;
             16          .    prohibits a court from voiding a final action taken by a public body for failure to
             17      comply with the posting written notice requirements on the Utah Public Notice
             18      Website if the posting is made for a meeting that is held prior to April 1, 2009;
             19          .    provides for definitions;
             20          .    creates the Utah Public Finance Website for the purpose of providing public financial
             21      information, and provides that it be administered by the Division of Finance;
             22          .    requires state entities to provide public financial information that will be accessed
             23      through the Utah Public Finance Website;
             24          .    provides the required capabilities of the website, and provides for website
             25      accessibility;
             26          .    creates the Utah Transparency Advisory Board to:
             27              .    advise the Division of Finance on website implementation and administration and
             28      on what public financial information must be made available on the Internet; and
             29              .    to develop plans, make recommendations, and evaluate the cost effectiveness of


             30      implementing certain information resources on the website;
             31          .    provides that the Division of Finance, in connection with the board, may make rules
             32      to:
             33              .    determine what public financial information must be made available on the
             34      Internet;
             35              .    require specific reporting obligations that are required of participating entities,
             36      including the frequency and form of submission of the information; and
             37              .    establish minimum website capability requirements; and
             38          .    provides for board membership and other duties.
             39      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             40          None
             41      Other Special Clauses:
             42          This bill provides an immediate effective date.
             43      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             44      AMENDS:
             45          52-4-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapters 45 and 249
             46          52-4-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 249
             47      ENACTS:
             48          63A-3-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49          63A-3-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50          63A-3-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             51          63A-3-404, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             52     
             53      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             54          Section 1. Section 52-4-202 is amended to read:
             55           52-4-202. Public notice of meetings -- Emergency meetings.
             56          (1) A public body shall give not less than 24 hours public notice of each meeting
             57      including the meeting:


             58          (a) agenda;
             59          (b) date;
             60          (c) time; and
             61          (d) place.
             62          (2) (a) In addition to the requirements under Subsection (1), a public body which holds
             63      regular meetings that are scheduled in advance over the course of a year shall give public notice
             64      at least once each year of its annual meeting schedule as provided in this section.
             65          (b) The public notice under Subsection (2)(a) shall specify the date, time, and place of
             66      the scheduled meetings.
             67          (3) (a) Public notice shall be satisfied by:
             68          (i) posting written notice:
             69          (A) at the principal office of the public body, or if no principal office exists, at the
             70      building where the meeting is to be held; and
             71          (B) beginning [April 1, 2008] October 1, 2008 and except as provided in Subsection
             72      (3)(b), on the Utah Public Notice Website created under Section 63F-1-701 ; and
             73          (ii) providing notice to:
             74          (A) at least one newspaper of general circulation within the geographic jurisdiction of
             75      the public body; or
             76          (B) a local media correspondent.
             77          (b) A public body of a municipality under Title 10, Utah Municipal Code, a local district
             78      under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Local Districts, a special service
             79      district under Title 17A, Chapter 2, Part 13, Utah Special Service District Act, or a dependent
             80      district under Title 17A, Chapter 3, Dependent Districts, is encouraged, but not required, to
             81      post written notice on the Utah Public Notice Website, if the municipality or district has a
             82      current annual budget of less than $1 million.
             83          (c) A public body is in compliance with the provisions of Subsection (3)(a)(ii) by
             84      providing notice to a newspaper or local media correspondent under the provisions of
             85      Subsection 63F-1-701 (4)(d).


             86          (4) A public body is encouraged to develop and use additional electronic means to
             87      provide notice of its meetings under Subsection (3).
             88          (5) (a) The notice requirement of Subsection (1) may be disregarded if:
             89          (i) because of unforeseen circumstances it is necessary for a public body to hold an
             90      emergency meeting to consider matters of an emergency or urgent nature; and
             91          (ii) the public body gives the best notice practicable of:
             92          (A) the time and place of the emergency meeting; and
             93          (B) the topics to be considered at the emergency meeting.
             94          (b) An emergency meeting of a public body may not be held unless:
             95          (i) an attempt has been made to notify all the members of the public body; and
             96          (ii) a majority of the members of the public body approve the meeting.
             97          (6) (a) A public notice that is required to include an agenda under Subsection (1) shall
             98      provide reasonable specificity to notify the public as to the topics to be considered at the
             99      meeting. Each topic shall be listed under an agenda item on the meeting agenda.
             100          (b) Subject to the provisions of Subsection (6)(c), and at the discretion of the presiding
             101      member of the public body, a topic raised by the public may be discussed during an open
             102      meeting, even if the topic raised by the public was not included in the agenda or advance public
             103      notice for the meeting.
             104          (c) Except as provided in Subsection (5), relating to emergency meetings, a public body
             105      may not take final action on a topic in an open meeting unless the topic is:
             106          (i) listed under an agenda item as required by Subsection (6)(a); and
             107          (ii) included with the advance public notice required by this section.
             108          Section 2. Section 52-4-302 is amended to read:
             109           52-4-302. Suit to void final action -- Limitation -- Exceptions.
             110          (1) (a) Any final action taken in violation of Section 52-4-201 , 52-4-202 , or 52-4-207 is
             111      voidable by a court of competent jurisdiction.
             112          (b) A court may not void a final action taken by a public body for failure to comply with
             113      the posting written notice requirements under Subsection 52-4-202 (3)(a)(i)(B) if:


             114          (i) the posting is made for a meeting that is held before April 1, 2009; or
             115          [(i)] (ii) (A) the public body otherwise complies with the provisions of Section
             116      52-4-202 ; and
             117          [(ii)] (B) the failure was a result of unforeseen Internet hosting or communication
             118      technology failure.
             119          (2) Except as provided under Subsection (3), a suit to void final action shall be
             120      commenced within 90 days after the date of the action.
             121          (3) A suit to void final action concerning the issuance of bonds, notes, or other
             122      evidences of indebtedness shall be commenced within 30 days after the date of the action.
             123          Section 3. Section 63A-3-401 is enacted to read:
             124     
Part 4. Utah Transparency Advisory Board

             125          63A-3-401. Definitions.
             126          As used in this part:
             127          (1) "Board" means the Utah Transparency Advisory Board created under Section
             128      63A-3-403 .
             129          (2) "Division" means the Division of Finance of the Department of Administrative
             130      Services.
             131          (3) "Participating state entity" means the state of Utah, including its executive,
             132      legislative, and judicial branches, its departments, divisions, agencies, boards, commissions,
             133      councils, committees, and institutions.
             134          (4) "Public financial information" means records that are required to be made available
             135      on the Utah Public Finance Website as required by this part.
             136          Section 4. Section 63A-3-402 is enacted to read:
             137          63A-3-402. Utah Public Finance Website -- Establishment and administration.
             138          (1) There is created the Utah Public Finance Website to be administered by the Division
             139      of Finance with the technical assistance of the Department of Technology Services.
             140          (2) The Utah Public Finance Website shall:
             141          (a) permit Utah taxpayers to view, understand, and track the use of taxpayer dollars by


             142      making participating state entities' public financial information available on the Internet;
             143          (b) allow a person who has Internet access to use the website without paying a fee;
             144          (c) allow the public to search public financial information on the Utah Public Finance
             145      Website using those criteria established by the board;
             146          (d) provide access to financial reports, financial audits, budgets, or other financial
             147      documents that are used to allocate, appropriate, spend, and account for the government funds,
             148      as may be established by rule under Section 63A-3-404 ;
             149          (e) have a unique and simplified website address;
             150          (f) be directly accessible via a link from the main page of the official state website; and
             151          (g) include other links, features, or functionality that will assist the public in obtaining
             152      and reviewing public financial information, as may be established by rule under Section
             153      63A-3-404 .
             154          (3) The division shall be responsible for:
             155          (a) establishing and maintaining the website, including the provision of equipment,
             156      resources, and personnel as is necessary;
             157          (b) maintaining an archive of all information posted to the website;
             158          (c) coordinating and processing the receipt and posting of public financial information
             159      from participating state entities; and
             160          (d) providing staff support for the advisory committee.
             161          (4) (a) A participating state entity shall permit the public to view the participating state
             162      entity's public financial information via the website, beginning with information that is generated
             163      not later than the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2008.
             164          (b) Not later than May 15, 2009, the website shall:
             165          (i) be operational; and
             166          (ii) permit public access to participating state entities' public financial information.
             167          Section 5. Section 63A-3-403 is enacted to read:
             168          63A-3-403. Utah Transparency Advisory Board -- Creation -- Membership --
             169      Duties.


             170          (1) There is created within the division the Utah Transparency Advisory Board
             171      comprised of seven members knowledgeable about public finance or providing public access to
             172      public financial information as follows:
             173          (a) one member designated by the director of the Division of Finance;
             174          (b) one member designated by the director of the Governor's Office of Planning and
             175      Budget;
             176          (c) one member appointed by the governor on advice from the Judicial Council;
             177          (d) one member appointed by the governor on advice from the Legislative Fiscal
             178      Analyst;
             179          (e) one member of the Senate, appointed by the governor on advice from the president
             180      of the Senate;
             181          (f) one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the governor on advice
             182      from the speaker of the House of Representatives; and
             183          (g) one member designated by the director of the Department of Technology Services.
             184          (2) The board shall:
             185          (a) advise the division on matters related to the implementation and administration of
             186      this part;
             187          (b) develop plans, make recommendations, and assist in implementing the provisions of
             188      this part;
             189          (c) determine what public financial information shall be provided by participating state
             190      entities, provided that the public financial information:
             191          (i) only includes records that:
             192          (A) are classified as public under Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and
             193      Management Act;
             194          (B) are an accounting of monies, funds, accounts, bonds, loans, expenditures, or
             195      revenues, regardless of the source; and
             196          (C) are owned, held, or administered by the participating state entity that is required to
             197      provide the record; and


             198          (ii) is of the type or nature that should be accessible to the public via a website based on
             199      considerations of:
             200          (A) the cost effectiveness of providing the information;
             201          (B) the value of providing the information to the public; and
             202          (C) privacy and security considerations; and
             203          (d) evaluate the cost effectiveness of implementing specific information resources and
             204      features on the website.
             205          (3) The board shall annually elect a chair and a vice chair from its members.
             206          (4) (a) Each member shall serve a two year term.
             207          (b) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be
             208      appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term.
             209          (5) The board shall meet as it determines necessary to accomplish its duties.
             210          (6) Reasonable notice shall be given to each member of the board prior to any meeting.
             211          (7) A majority of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
             212          (8) (a) (i) Members who are not government employees shall receive no compensation
             213      or benefits for their services, but may receive per diem and expenses incurred in the
             214      performance of the member's official duties at the rates established by the Division of Finance
             215      under Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 .
             216          (ii) Members may decline to receive per diem and expenses for their service.
             217          (b) (i) State government officer and employee members who do not receive salary, per
             218      diem, or expenses from their agency for their service may receive per diem and expenses
             219      incurred in the performance of their official duties from the board at the rates established by the
             220      Division of Finance under Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 .
             221          (ii) State government officer and employee members may decline to receive per diem
             222      and expenses for their service.
             223          Section 6. Section 63A-3-404 is enacted to read:
             224          63A-3-404. Rulemaking authority.
             225          (1) After consultation with the board, and in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,


             226      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the Division of Finance shall make rules to:
             227          (a) require participating state entities to provide public financial information for
             228      inclusion on the Utah Public Finance Website;
             229          (b) define, either uniformly for all participating state entities, or on an entity by entity
             230      basis, the term "public financial information" using the standards provided in Subsection
             231      63A-3-403 (2)(c); and
             232          (c) establish procedures for obtaining, submitting, reporting, storing, and providing
             233      public financial information on the Utah Public Finance Website, which may include a specified
             234      reporting frequency and form.
             235          (2) After consultation with the board, and in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
             236      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the Division of Finance may make rules to:
             237          (a) require a participating state entity to list certain expenditures made by a person
             238      under a contract with the entity; and
             239          (b) if a list is required under Subsection (2)(a), require the following information to be
             240      included:
             241          (i) the name of the participating state entity making the expenditure;
             242          (ii) the name of the person receiving the expenditure;
             243          (iii) the date of the expenditure;
             244          (iv) the amount of the expenditure;
             245          (v) the purpose of the expenditure;
             246          (vi) the name of each party to the contract;
             247          (vii) an electronic copy of the contract; or
             248          (viii) any other criteria designated by rule.
             249          Section 7. Effective date.
             250          If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
             251      upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
             252      Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
             253      the date of veto override.


             254     


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]