AG Proposes Unit To Monitor Open Meetings

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office is supporting a proposal to form a two-person unit in the office to investigate possible violations of the state’s open meetings and open records laws.

Kansas Press Association executive director Doug Anstaett told the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday that having an open government unit in the attorney general’s office would signify that open government is a high priority in the state.

The bill also would create an advisory group of citizens, media members and possibly legislators to help the new unit.

The committee took no action on the bill until it received more information.

The attorney general’s office estimates the new unit would cost about $160,000 per year.

Associate Press information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal