Office to pursue two rulemakings: expedited URL updates and a broader Public Records rulemaking

The Office of the Code Reviser told the Statute Law Committee it plans two rulemakings: an expedited update to reflect changed website URLs and a separate, lengthier rulemaking to revise the office's public-records chapter so it aligns with House and Senate procedures.

Jennifer Meese and Kathy Buckley explained the URL updates are a straightforward, expedited process. "Many of our URLs have changed, and we have those in our code. So this is just an expedited process," Meese said.

By contrast, staff said the public-records chapter will not be expedited because it is likely to draw substantial public engagement. "There's a lot of interest in public records," Meese said. Kevin Shotwell said staff are coordinating with House and Senate counsel to align language and that the process from initial proposal through final adoption typically takes about six months, though it can be as short as roughly four months in some cases.

Committee members asked whether the office currently designated a public-records officer; staff replied they currently use the House as a public-records officer and use human-resources services through the Legislative Service agencies. Staff also described that a visible "video auditor" incident from the prior summer increased awareness of public interest in legislative office records and informed the need for clear public-records language.

Staff emphasized the public-records rulemaking is intended to align statutory language and internal procedures with the House and Senate, not to change everyday practice. "I don't think it's any change to our actual practice. It's just to make sure that the language in the statute kind of aligns with the house and senate's procedures," Shotwell said.

Staff said they will notify the public and place the item on the committee's agenda as they develop the proposed rule language.