Officials Cite OPRA, Sunshine Law Reform as Costly, Impractical

Hasbrouck Heights has joined a growing list of other boroughs in New Jersey in stating its opposition to some of the proposed changes to the Open Public Meetings Act and Open Public Records Act which were introduced last month in the state senate.

Borough officials passed a resolution Tuesday night which states the borough supports openness in government but finds some of the new requirements of  S1451, the Open Public Meetings Act, or Sunshine Law,  and S1452, the OPRA law, “impractical” and “costly.”

For example, the resolution states that a proposed requirement which would change the definition of subcommittees requiring such groups to produce minutes and publish meeting notices would bring about additional administrative duties and increased costs.

Another example includes a change to both bills would also require electronic communication, such as text messages and emails, to be included in minutes and public record. The resolution states this would be “unworkable and unmanageable” as technology does not always exist to make hard or digital copies of such communications.

The resolution also states the borough’s opposition towards some of the proposed changes to how the governing body can handle items raised at meetings and how personnel matters are conducted during private session. Some of these changes could bring upon costly legislation, the resolution states.

According to NJ Spotlight.com, State Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), prime sponsor of both bills, has stated both bills were in need of updating. The Open Public Meetings Act was put into effect 40 years ago and OPRA was revised about 10 years ago.

Senator Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) is a co-sponsor of the OPRA bill who also stated on NJ Spotlight the need for changes to these laws.

Read more about the proposed law reform on NJ Spotlight.com