Elected local governing body members would face limits on secrecy agreements

Duly elected members of local governing bodies would be barred from signing these nondisclosure agreements during their terms, and covered agreements would be void and unenforceable. It covers agreements that stop a member from discussing community-wide concerns connected to official duties, including government wrongdoing, violations of law, and gross mismanagement. A member could still sign an agreement to protect their own privacy interests in facts about official duties, if those facts reasonably raise privacy concerns and the member chooses to limit disclosure. Agreements also could protect matters that federal or state law requires to remain confidential, and information about active civil or criminal investigations. The provision would not affect any agreement entered into or renewed before July 1, 2027.