Real Estate & Property Law

Notice of Public Meetings

By Alan Ackerman

stltoday.com

House lawmakers approved a change to Missouri's open records law that would require earlier notice of select public meetings.

The bill — which requires four days notice for meetings on tax increases, eminent domain issues, zoning, and sales taxes — passed in the House by a vote of 135-17, moving the bill along to the Senate.

'We want to be sure they are fully vetted in the sunshine, instead of just being rammed through,' said Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka, who sponsored the bill.

Jones said expanding the window for public comment to four days gives more people the opportunity to comment on local government activities.

Currently, Missouri law requires only 24 hours notice before a public meeting is held.    
 

The Missouri House recently approved a public meeting notice requiring 24 hour notice before a public hearing is held.

For many property owners, the problem still remains that in many jurisdictions, the governmental agency is not required to provide notice to the individual owner whose property is about to be taken.  This raises Due Process issues, but seems to be acceptable in many jurisdictions.

Full post as published by National Eminent Domain Blog on May 10, 2010 (boomark / email).