Bernstine’s Government Transparency Legislation Passes Key Senate Committee

Legislation that would increase the transparency of meetings by local and county governments took another big step toward becoming law this week when it was voted out of a key state senate committee.

Sponsored by State Representative Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), House Bill 1069 would amend the state’s public meeting transparency law – known as the Sunshine Act — by requiring public agencies to publish meeting agendas no later than 24 hours prior to the start of a meeting, and by prohibiting an agency from taking official action on items not on the agenda unless added by a majority vote.

Bernstine’s legislation was passed by the PA House in January, and voted out of a state senate this week.