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Sunshine Advisory
A Bulletin on Iowa Open Meetings and Public Records Laws
By Attorney General Tom Miller -- July 2002
Closed Governmental Meetings: Know the Nuts and Bolts for Closed Sessions
Closed sessions are serious business: the public is asked to leave so that a council, board, commission
or other governmental body can hold discussions behind closed doors. Iowa's Open Meetings Law,
Iowa Code Ch. 21, spells out very specific rules. Here are steps government bodies must take for a
meeting to be closed:
Check the statute. Open meetings only can be closed for 10 specific reasons set out in the law, such as
discussion of pending litigation or certain personnel issues. If none of the law's reasons apply, the session
may not be closed.
Announce the reason. The governmental body must publicly announce the reason for closing the meeting
and record the reason in the minutes.
Take a vote. Closing requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members, or all members present. For
example, a five-member body needs either 4 votes to close (two-thirds of all the members) or 3 votes (if only
three are present and three is a quorum.)
Keep records. The governmental body must keep detailed minutes and must tape-record the closed
session. Detailed minutes must record who is present, all discussion, and any action taken. The minutes
and tape are sealed and only can be opened under a court order.
Stay focused. A closed session is authorized only to the extent necessary for the reason cited. There must
not be discussion of other matters.
Return to open session for final action. Final action only can be taken in open session. For any final
decision, a motion and vote must be done in open session.
Be vigilant about "what goes on behind closed doors."
Citizens who have inquiries or complaints about public records or open meetings may call the Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman Office - toll-free at 888-IA-OMBUD (888-426-6283.)
"Sunshine Advisory" bulletins are designed to give information on Iowa's public records and open meetings laws
- our "Sunshine Laws." Local officials should obtain legal advice from their counsel, such as the city or county
attorney
Iowa Attorney General's Office: Hoover Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.
On the Web: www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org . Sunshine Advisories are a general resource for government officials and citizens.
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