Cities, League of Cities and sheriffs differ over proposed narrower public‑records exemptions for personnel investigations

The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1185, a proposal to narrow public disclosure of certain employee personnel records and to extend a temporary exemption period for internal investigative records.

Representative Scott Louser introduced the bill and said the change would allow local governments to implement merit‑based pay systems without triggering widespread public access to personnel coaching, disciplinary records and performance evaluations. "What we're asking for in this bill is we're asking for a sliver," Mike Blessum, a Minot city alderman who testified in support, said. Blessum described local budget work that prompted the city to explore performance‑based pay and said open personnel records make it difficult to document candid performance…