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Bill to bar local NDAs that block elected decision makers advances from committee
Summary
SB 994 would prohibit nondisclosure agreements that prevent local officials from sharing information with their elected bodies; supporters said it restores transparency in local land‑use decisions and prevents private interests from operating in the shadows. The committee moved the bill to Appropriations as amended.
Sen. Cabaldon told the committee SB 994 closes a gap that has allowed nondisclosure agreements to prevent local agency officials from sharing information with elected decision makers. "It simply says that a local official cannot enter into a nondisclosure agreement that prevents them from sharing the information with the actual elected decision makers of that jurisdiction," Cabaldon said.
Jordan Grimes, legislative director at Greenbelt Alliance, said NDAs can create a ‘‘black box’’ that shields private interests and undermines democratic oversight. "When private interests are permitted to operate in the shadows shielded by nondisclosure agreements, the results are almost always the same: harm to our environment and to communities," Grimes said.
The League of Women Voters, leadership councils, and planning and conservation groups registered support. No witnesses appeared in opposition during the hearing. The author accepted committee amendments to clarify the bill’s scope and the committee passed the bill to Appropriations as amended.
What’s next: SB 994 will be revised per committee amendments and advance to Appropriations for fiscal review and potential additional amendments.
