Lawmakers Seek To Tighten Open Records Law

Senate Democrats in Kansas say they plan to introduce a bill this week aimed at closing loopholes in open records laws when it comes to private e-mail accounts and electronic devices.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the move comes after state budget director Shawn Sullivan used a private email account to send a draft of the state budget to two lobbyists and several top administration officials two days before Christmas.

Governor Sam Brownback says he mostly uses his private cellphone rather than a state-owned one. He says he doesn’t know how often members of his staff use private e-mails to conduct official state business.

Some Republican lawmakers have said they would be open to legislation that makes private communications public records when they pertain to state business.