Bill Description: House Bill 627 would clarify that individuals have the right to record a public meeting, but allow a governing body to take measures to ensure the orderly conduct of its meetings. 

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Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?

House Bill 627 would amend Section 74-203, Idaho Code, which deals with the requirements for open public meetings. The bill would add a new subsection that says, “No person attending meetings shall be prevented or prohibited from recording such meetings. For purposes of this subsection, ‘recording’ means the capturing of audio, video, or photographs by electronic or digital means.”

It would also say, “A governing body may take measures to ensure the orderly conduct of its meetings but shall not prohibit or unreasonably restrict recording as provided under this subsection. No person shall be removed or excluded from meetings for recording pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.”

Allowing the recording (and, by extension, the sharing of recordings) of public meetings provides increased transparency to the public regarding government’s actions.

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