Bill > HB2134

This bill amends several Kansas laws to modify open records and open meetings regulations, with a focus on reducing barriers to public information access. The bill limits charges for public records by prohibiting fees for electronic copies and for determining whether a record exists, and requires public agencies to use the lowest-cost staff available when calculating employee time charges. It mandates that agencies provide itemized cost statements when charging for records and establishes procedures for managing high-cost record requests. The bill also expands transparency requirements for public meetings, such as ensuring that live-streamed meetings are fully accessible and clarifying rules about subcommittees and subordinate groups. Additionally, the bill changes the reporting deadline for county and district attorneys regarding open records and open meetings complaints from January to October, and adds new exemptions to public records disclosure, including records from formally closed investigations with no found violations and records containing obscene material. The changes aim to balance public access to information with practical considerations for government agencies, providing more clarity and consistency in how public records are managed and shared.

Justice

Judiciary (House)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2134/