A bill that would require public agencies to include the end date of a public comment period is scheduled for a committee hearing. HB 1105 would subject government agencies to a civil penalty of $500 for the first violation of the act and $1000 for any subsequent violation.

AWC worked with the bill sponsor to address some unclear language and ensure that the requirement only applied in situations where there is a statutorily identified time period for public comment. In those cases the city would need to publish the final date it is accepting comments. For example, a statute that says that the public comment period must be 30 calendar days and notice is published on May 1, then the notice must specify that the deadline for accepting comments is May 31.

Dates to remember

HB 1105 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate State Government & Elections Committee on Friday, March 24 at 8 am.