No action taken on Net government notices

The House Political Subdivisions Committee took no action on a bill Monday that would change the way government entities notify the public about meetings and hearings.

HB222 would require city councils, school boards and other agencies to post meeting notices on the Internet.

The bill hit a snag when its sponsor, Rep. John Dougall, R-American Fork, proposed an amendment requiring government bodies to maintain e-mail lists that would be used to inform the public and the press about meetings.

Rep. James Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, expressed concern that the e-mail lists might burden smaller town and school boards.

Lincoln Shurtz, from the Utah League of Cities and Towns, said that while his organization supported the bill, they shared Dunnigan's concern about the amendment.

After discussion, the amendment was never voted on nor was the bill before the committee adjourned.