Pending Cases | Meeting Agendas, Minutes, and Decisions

• Is this different from the Government Openness Task Force listed on this website?
• How are complaints filed?
• What is the procedure once a complaint has been filed?
• In working for a public agency, how do I respond to these complaints?
• What does the commission do once it receives all the filed documents?

Is this different from the Government Openness Task Force listed on this website?

Yes. The Government Openness Task force is an ad hoc group consisting of members of various public interest groups, business groups, media interests, and governmental interests. The Attorney General formed this group to develop policy solutions to government open meeting issues and public record issues. The Government Openness Task Force has developed several legislative bills. The Openness Task Force meets periodically when scheduled by the Attorney General.

One of the legislative items developed by the Government Openness Task Force was the proposal for a state Commission to resolve complaints pertaining to the open meeting laws. The proposal was adopted by the state legislature in 2004 and the Open Meeting Commission was created as an official state agency. The Open Meetings Commission meets periodically when scheduled by the Commission Chairman. Because an Assistant Attorney General serves as the procedural assistant to this Commission, the Commission's business is also posted under the Attorney General's website.

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How are complaints filed?

Complaints filed with the Open Meetings Commission pursuant to
SDCL 1-25-6 are to be made as follows:

• The state's attorney of the county where the alleged violation occurred must make the referral. SDCL 1-25-6. Citizen complaints cannot be considered directly by the Commission.
• The referral must include a written notarized complaint as required by SDCL 1-25-6 and
  SDCL 23A-2-1. The complainant must sign the complaint under oath. State's attorneys are to use the same format for filing complaints under this process as that used in filing criminal matters.
• Original referrals, including investigatory materials, are to be sent to the Office of Attorney General and clearly marked "Open Meetings Commission." The Commission has designated an Assistant Attorney General to assist in processing the complaints and responses.
• Copies of the referral, complaint, and investigatory file are also to be sent to the agency about which the complaint is lodged. The documents filed with the Attorney General's office should indicate that copies have been provided to the agency. Service on the agency's attorney is encouraged rather than sending the documents to multiple agency personnel.
• The referral should include pertinent minutes and agendas for the meetings involved.
• If the complaint alleges that an executive session was conducted improperly, investigatory materials should disclose the identity of the persons in attendance at the executive session and include statements of persons in attendance. The Commission is aware that privileged information may be involved or that confidential statements may have been made that fall within the clear protection of SDCL 1-25-2.Accordingly, investigatory materials are to be tailored to address that concern and, at the same time, disclose the nature of the discussions to the extent permissible for review by the Open Meetings Commission.

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• A response will be sent to the state's attorney (and the person that signed the complaint) acknowledging the referral.
• Another letter will be sent to the attorney for the public agency involved. The letter will request a response in 15 days. In the event that the Commission has already scheduled an upcoming meeting, the letter will so indicate. In that event the agency may wish to consent to a shorter time for response to expeditiously resolve the matter. On the other hand, if the public agency seeks additional time beyond the 15 days, an extension will freely be granted by the Commission Chair if such time is appropriate in order to allow for an adequate response.

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• If the complaint or referral does not provide all pertinent minutes or agendas, this information should be provided in the response.
• If the response refutes factual information regarding executive sessions, signed statements from persons attending the executive sessions are encouraged. As stated above, the Commission recognizes that confidential information may be involved. To the extent possible, however, the agency should provide sufficient information for the Commission to make an informed decision.
• The original response should be sent to the Attorney General's office marked "Open Meetings Commission." Copies should be sent by the respondent to the pertinent state's attorney and the person that signed the complaint. The response should indicate that copies have been provided to those entities.

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• Once the complaint and response have both been received, the package will be forwarded to the Commission for review and further action.
• The commission may issue a ruling based on the paperwork submitted. This is usually a summary ruling when the commission lacks jurisdiction, the public entity has admitted the violation or there is a very clear violation. (Summary Procedure)
• The Commission may act on the complaint and response based on the written submissions or may allow for oral presentations. Further, the Commission may return the complaint to the pertinent state's attorney for more investigation.
• After final review of the complaint and response, the Commission will issue Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. The Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law will be public. They will be posted on the Attorney General's website and also forwarded (free of charge) to anyone who requests them.

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