Open Records, Meetings To Be Debated

The Kansas Senate is preparing to debate bills that would limit government fees for producing records, require additional disclosures by lobbyists and make legislative meetings more accessible.

Majority Leader Terry Bruce said the Senate would take final votes on the measures Thursday after debating them.

One measure seeks to limit the fees charged by state and local government agencies in fulfilling requests to produce records. An agency could charge no more than 25 cents a page for copies, and its hourly charges for staff time would be limited.

Another measure would require lobbyists to disclose any public funds they receive from a government agency to influence state officials.

A third bill would require the Legislature to provide live Internet audio of some committee meetings, starting in 2016.