MS HB974

Establishes civil penalties for disclosing information from executive sessions of public bodies: minimum $25,000 for first violation, $50,000 for second violation, and increases by $25,000 for each subsequent violation.

Grants the Mississippi Ethics Commission authority to enforce penalties for disclosure violations through complaint-based investigations and hearings.

Allows any party to appeal Ethics Commission orders to chancery court for de novo review.

Takes effect July 1, 2011.