MS SB2289

Amends Section 25-41-15 to impose civil penalties on individual members of public bodies found to willfully and knowingly violate the Open Meetings Act: $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense, plus reasonable expenses.

Changes language in Section 25-41-15 to clarify that penalties apply to individual members found in violation rather than the public body as a whole.

Amends Section 25-61-15 to change Public Records Act violations from mandatory to discretionary liability, allowing civil penalties up to $100 per violation plus reasonable expenses.

Maintains the Mississippi Ethics Commission's authority to enforce open meetings violations through complaint procedures, hearings, and orders for compliance.

Takes effect July 1, 2011.