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House committee tables amendment to Open Records Act bill after debate over retirement-based privacy
Summary
Committee on Judiciary debated an amendment to HB2419 that would let certain retirees restrict home address information on public websites; members raised concerns about a gap for officers who leave service before receiving retirement benefits and then tabled the bill for 48 hours to allow technical fixes.
A House Judiciary Committee meeting on HB2419 ended with members tabling the measure for 48 hours after extended debate over an amendment that would allow certain retirees to restrict home address and homeownership information from public websites.
The amendment, offered by Vice Chair Rep. Laura Williams, would replace a KPERS-specific reference with language allowing individuals who "receive retirement benefits attributable to former employment in such position" to remove their home address information from certain public records. Jason, the committee reviser, said the bill as drafted ties the protection to retirement status and would take effect July 1 if adopted.
Supporters said the change broadens privacy protections for judges, attorneys and similar public servants who have safety concerns. Williams said the amendment "sets clear, uniform guardrails" so retired public servants can remove identifying information from public sites without undermining the statute's purpose.
Several members, including Rep. Carmichael, cautioned the amendment leaves a gap for people who leave law-enforcement jobs before they become eligible for retirement benefits (for example, officers not in KPERS or who depart service early). Carmichael described that gap as a period when those former officers may be at highest risk and asked whether the amendment would allow those individuals to restrict records; the reviser said the draft is keyed to retirement and would not cover that window.
The committee debated whether to pass the amendment as a partial fix and rely on floor amendments to close remaining gaps, or to table the bill so staff could draft a clearer fix. Rep. Carmichael moved to table the bill to a time certain; the motion was seconded and, after the chair called a nondebatable vote, the committee voted in favor and tabled HB2419 for 48 hours.
No final action on the underlying bill was recorded; the committee will revisit the measure at the time specified when the bill is taken off the table.
The committee also discussed technical corrections to the bill title and asked the reviser for limited technical leeway to fix drafting errors.
What happens next: HB2419 is tabled for 48 hours to allow for drafting and title corrections and to give members time to consider options for closing the identified privacy "donut hole."
