HB 600 Summary

• Increases notice requirement for public meetings from 24 hours to 48 hours (except the General Assembly, which remains at 24 hours)

• Requires public disclosure in open meetings of settlement agreements and votes on legal actions, litigation, and eminent domain proceedings upon final disposition, unless a court orders otherwise

• Expands the definition of "public record" to explicitly include leases, subleases, rental agreements, and similar facility-related instruments entered into by public governmental bodies

• Changes the burden of proof in litigation to presume meetings and records are open to the public, requiring governmental bodies to prove closure is permitted under exemptions

• Modifies civil penalties for violations: reduces standard violation penalty to one hundred dollars (from one thousand), requires attorney fees be awarded, and changes language from "may" to "shall" for fee awards in knowing violations