South Dakota transparency headlines
From Sunshine Review
This article is a list of transparency related news from South Dakota.
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| Report It • | The Good • | The Bad • | The Ugly | |
Open Records Law Discussed
"Advocates for freedom of information and the First Amendment are talking about South Dakota's new public records law passed by the legislature.
Leaders in the community came together to discuss what the new open records measure means in South Dakota. The new law makes public records public unless there's a good reason to keep them private."
Future of state open records law uncertain
"When South Dakota’s new open records law SB147 takes effect in July, no one knows exactly how the law will be interpreted or make a day-to-day difference in government by presuming openness.
'Nothing is ever a one-time thing that is done when it comes to public administration and public law,' said Tena Haraldson, Associated Press chief of bureau for North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska."
Hearing office handles 7 public records cases
"Seven cases involving disputes over public access to government documents have been filed with the state Office of Hearing Examiners under a new appeals process that was set up last year to resolve such disagreements.
The Office of Hearing Examiners reports that in three appeals, agencies were ordered to provide all or part of the documents requested. One request was denied, and another case is pending."
Agency must show tax-refund permits
"An administrative judge has ordered that state permits issued to large business and agricultural processing projects for sales-tax and contractor-tax refunds must be open to public inspection in South Dakota.
The state Department of Revenue and Regulation complied this week with the order and turned over electronic photocopies of the permits."
University openness lacks consistency
"Looking at public government information is one important piece of being an informed citizen.
To see public information, it should not matter who you are and why you want to know something. The same public information should be available to any U.S. citizen who makes a request.
However, the government, understandably, should be careful with the overwhelming personal records they keep."
Volante tests campus transparency
"To uncover how readily USD and Foundation records were disclosed to students, The Volante requested public documents and university information from a variety of departments over the last four months.
Why four months? Last Monday the Student Government Association finally allowed me to view a binder of their General Activity Fee allocations – the last on a list of information I began requesting Dec. 5."
Open records law helps brighten South Dakota
"South Dakota got a little brighter last week when a great deal of sunshine was allowed into state government.
Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Thursday that presumes government records are open to the public unless specifically closed by law, ordinance or rule. Rounds’ signature comes after unanimous final votes on the bill last week in both the state House and Senate."
Lawmaker Knudson honored for his work to open records
"Sen. Dave Knudson of Sioux Falls was given the Eagle Award from the South Dakota Newspaper Association for his sponsorship of open-records legislation that recently was signed into law.
The annual award goes to an individual or group that has worked to protect and enhance the people's right to know. It was presented Friday evening at the 127th annual SDNA convention in Watertown."
Editorial: Open records legislation a step forward
"Let's make at least one thing clear.
The open records bill that passed the Legislature is historic.
It's a major step forward for South Dakota that should be celebrated.
The Rushmore State for years has held an antiquated view of how accessible public records should be to the residents of this great state.
The new bill now would create a standard that presumes all government records are open to the public, while specifying some exceptions."
Rounds to back open records
"The Legislature is sending an open records bill to Gov. Mike Rounds containing his requested amendments, and Rounds said Thursday he's inclined to sign it into law.
But some who worked on the issue fear the exceptions Rounds asked for are so sweeping they render the presumption of openness almost meaningless.
"It's better than nothing. Unfortunately, it may be close to nothing," Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem said."
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