Bill > H0065

This bill creates exemptions from public records and public meetings requirements for unsolicited proposals submitted to a responsible public entity, which is defined as a government agency involved in public-private partnerships. Specifically, unsolicited proposals and discussions about them in meetings are exempt from public disclosure for a limited time, generally until a decision is made on a qualifying project, or for a maximum of 90 days after proposals are rejected and a new solicitation is issued, or 180 days if no new solicitation is pursued. While meetings discussing these proposals can be closed, a complete recording must be made and is also temporarily exempt from public records laws, with disclosure timelines mirroring those for the proposals themselves. These exemptions are subject to future legislative review and repeal, and the bill emphasizes that this temporary secrecy is necessary to encourage private entities to submit proposals for public projects and to prevent unfair competitive advantages, while still ensuring eventual public oversight. The bill's effectiveness is contingent on the passage of similar legislation.