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Committee backs records exemption for Gambling Commission data amid transparency objections
Summary
The committee reported House Bill 1222 out with a due-pass recommendation. The bill would exempt certain proprietary financial and security information obtained by the Gambling Commission from public inspection; some members raised concerns about restricting the Public Records Act.
The State Government & Tribal Relations Committee voted to report House Bill 1222 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation, advancing a proposal the Gambling Commission requested to protect proprietary financial and security information from public inspection.
Vice Chair Stearns, speaking in support, said the bill responds to concerns that public disclosure of certain gambling-device or vendor information could create security risks for operators. “The commission asked for a public records exemption for that information,” Stearns said during debate, and he urged the committee to pass the measure.
Opponents raised a transparency principle. A committee member said they typically vote against bills that narrow the Public Records Act, and suggested alternative approaches such as non-disclosure agreements. That member said they would continue discussing possible language with the sponsor before the bill reaches the floor.
The committee took a roll-call-style announcement that produced 4 ayes, 2 nays and 1 excused; staff announced the bill was reported out with a due-pass recommendation.
No amendments to the bill were filed in the executive briefing packet, the staff briefing noted.
