HF 377 (LSB 2364HH (3) 85)

HOUSE FILE 377

BY  KAJTAZOVIC

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to greater transparency for state board of regents meetings, forums, and proposals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 262.8, Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   262.8  Meetings
 
—— public forums —— public readings.
   1.  The board shall meet four times a year. Special meetings may be called by the board, by the president of the board, or by the executive director of the board upon written request of any five members thereof.
   2.  Each regular meeting of the state board of regents shall begin with at least thirty minutes for public comment if requested by members of the public. A member of the public shall be granted up to five minutes to make comments and may be granted more time by a member of the board.
   3.  At least two members of the state board of regents shall hold public forums at which issues relating to the activities of the board and the institutions the board governs can be discussed and addressed. The forums shall provide the community with opportunities to pose questions, receive answers, and make comments. The board shall divide the state into at least six geographic regions, including but not limited to northwest, southwest, north central, south central, northeast, and southeast Iowa, and shall hold a forum in accordance with this subsection in each region at least quarterly. Notice of a forum shall be prominently posted on the board’s internet site at least two weeks prior to the date of the forum.
   4.  The board shall hold public readings of a proposal at two regular meetings of the board before the board takes action on a proposal before the board if the proposal affects an academic program at an institution governed by the board, or if the estimated cost of the proposal is one hundred thousand dollars or more. A quorum of the board must be physically present at any board meeting that includes a public reading required by this subsection. The affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the board is necessary for any action to be taken by the board on a proposal subject to this subsection.
    Sec. 2.  Section 262.9, Code 2013, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  38.  The board is subject to chapters 21 and 22.
EXPLANATION
   This bill establishes additional requirements for state board of regents meetings, including a period for public comment, public forums, and public readings.
   Each regular board meeting shall begin with at least 30 minutes for public comment if requested by members of the public. A member of the public shall be granted up to five minutes to make comments and may be granted more time by a member of the board.
   At least two members of the board shall hold public forums in each of at least six geographic regions of the state quarterly. Notice of a forum must be prominently posted on the board’s internet site at least two weeks prior to the date of the forum.
   If a proposal before the board affects an institution’s academic program or if its estimated cost is $100,000 or more, the bill requires that the board hold public readings of the proposal at two regular meetings of the board before taking action on the proposal. A quorum of the board must be physically present at these meetings, and the proposal must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the membership for any action to be taken on the proposal.
   The bill specifies that the board is subject to and required to comply with Code chapters 21 and 22, the open meetings and open records laws.