SF0032 • 2020

Public meetings-executive sessions for security planning.

AN ACT relating to public meetings; authorizing executive sessions for safety and security planning; and providing for an effective date.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Senator Kost
Last action: 2020-03-11
Official status: inactive
Effective date: 3/1/2020

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on whether these private sessions must not disclose information that would threaten life or property, nor does it specify the exact circumstances under which such sessions can be held beyond the requirement for a majority vote.

Public Meetings and Executive Sessions for Security Planning

This act allows government agencies to hold private meetings about safety and security plans that could be dangerous if made public.

What This Bill Does

Allows governing bodies of agencies to have closed meetings when discussing safety and security planning.
Requires a majority vote by the members present for an executive session to take place.

Who It Names or Affects

Government agencies and their governing bodies

Terms To Know

Executive session: A private meeting of a government body that the public cannot attend.
Governing body: The group responsible for making decisions and managing an organization or agency.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what happens if information from these sessions is leaked.
It's unclear how often such executive sessions will be held.
This bill did not pass in the session it was introduced.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SF0032SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Judiciary Committee

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment allows government bodies to hold private meetings for discussing safety and security plans when sharing such information could endanger lives or property.

Adds a new clause (xii) that permits executive sessions for safety and security planning if disclosure would threaten life or property.

The amendment does not specify what qualifies as a threat to safety or how such threats will be determined.

Bill History

2020-03-11 House
H postponed indefinitely
2020-02-27 House
H07 - Corporations:Do Pass Failed 4-4-1-0-0
2020-02-26 House
H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations
2020-02-26 House
H Received for Introduction
2020-02-25 Senate
S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-0-0-0-0
2020-02-24 Senate
S 2nd Reading:Passed
2020-02-21 Senate
S COW:Passed
2020-02-20 Senate
S Placed on General File
2020-02-20 Senate
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
2020-02-11 Senate
S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 26-3-1-0-0
2020-02-10 Senate
S Received for Introduction
2020-01-10 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

20LSO-0225
2020
STATE OF WYOMING
20LSO-0225
ENGROSSED
3.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0032

Public meetings-executive sessions for security planning.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Kost, Boner, Coe and Nethercott and Representative(s) Barlow, Flitner, Larsen and Sommers

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to public meetings; authorizing executive sessions for safety and security planning; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 16
‑
4
‑
405(a) by creating a new paragraph (xii) and (c) is amended to read:

16
‑
4
‑
405.

Executive sessions.

(a)

A governing body of an agency may hold executive sessions not open to the public:

(xii)

To consider, discuss and conduct safety and security planning that, if disclosed, would pose a threat to the safety of life or property.

(c)

Unless a different procedure or vote is otherwise specified by law, an executive session may be held only pursuant to a motion that is duly seconded and carried by majority vote of the members of the governing body in attendance when the motion is made. A motion to hold an executive session which specifies any of the reasons set forth in paragraphs (a)(i) through
(xi)
(xii)
of this section shall be sufficient notice of the issue to be considered in an executive session.

Section 2.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

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