Committee backs extending grievance window for executive‑session records to 90 days

The House Committee on Rules on June 11 adopted the A‑2 amendment to House Bill 3638, which modifies deadlines for filing written grievances under the public meetings law related to executive sessions. Under the A‑2 amendment the time to file a grievance is 90 days after a relevant record becomes available to the public.

Supporters said the change addresses situations where records tied to executive sessions are not published immediately and a longer window allows members of the public to review materials and, if necessary, file a grievance. Representative Jeff Helfrich, the bill sponsor, told the committee the A‑2 amendment reflects stakeholder input and allows 90 days after publication for grievances. He said the change resulted from conversations with stakeholders who noted records tied to executive sessions can appear in later quarterly postings and the 90‑day window gives the public a reasonable opportunity to review them.

The committee adopted the amendment and then voted to move House Bill 3638, as amended, to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation. Committee members present recorded their votes by roll call.

The A‑2 amendment also defines “record” for the purposes of the 90‑day clock. There was no fiscal impact reported beyond a minimal level and no revenue impact on the posted fiscal statement. Representative Helfrich said there had been no opposition in April but subsequent stakeholders raised issues and the A‑2 reflects negotiated language.

Committee action now sends the bill to the full House for consideration; the sponsor was assigned to carry the bill to the floor.