Bill seeking transparency on state settlements OK’d
HELENA – The House on Tuesday approved third reading of a bill that would require the Department of Administration to publish information online about settlements with the state.
House Bill 532, by Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, was amended by the Senate and returned to the House for approval of the changes. Tuesday’s vote was 58-39 and HB 532 moves to the governor’s desk. According to the bill, these records must be maintained for 20 years, up from the current five years.
The bill, known as the “Sunshine and Transparency Act for the State’s Settlement of Claims,” notes the public has a right to know the reason for spending its money to settle claims against government.
The bill’s intent is to create transparency when public money is used to settle claims “based on the acts or omissions of state employees and state actors.”
“It is good sunshine legislation,” Mercer said in an email.
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