SF 410 (LSB 2623XS (2) 91)

SENATE FILE 410

BY  SIRES

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to public comment periods during regular meetings and special meetings of the boards of directors of school districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  279.2A  Public comment —— regular meetings and special meetings.
   1.  The board of directors of each school district shall do all of the following:
   a.  Provide a reasonable amount of time during each regular meeting and special meeting to receive public comment.
   b.  Allow each interested member of the public to speak during the public comment period; provided, however, that the board of directors may impose a time limit on the amount of time a member of the public is allowed to speak if the time limit is the same for each speaker and necessary due to the amount of members of the public wishing to speak.
   2.  The board of directors of a school district shall not require a member of the public to be placed on the regular meeting’s or special meeting’s agenda prior to the meeting in order for the member of the public to speak during the public comment period.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to public comment periods during regular meetings and special meetings of the boards of directors of school districts.
   The bill requires the board of directors of each school district to provide a reasonable amount of time during each regular meeting and special meeting to receive public comment and to allow each interested member of the public to speak during the public comment period. The bill prohibits the board of directors of a school district from requiring a member of the public to be placed on the meeting’s agenda prior to the meeting in order for the member of the public to speak during the public comment period.