Minnesota House Bill HF1710

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/23
• Refer: 2/13/23

Caption

Procedures required when legislative commission on cybersecurity holds closed meetings.

Impact

One significant impact of HF1710 is its emphasis on safeguarding cybersecurity-related discussions while still attempting to ensure a level of public accountability. The bill stipulates that closed meeting records will not be made available to the public for a period ranging from eight to twenty years. This creates a balance between the need for protective measures in cybersecurity and the public's right to know about legislative processes.

Summary

House File 1710 addresses the procedures required when the Minnesota Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity holds closed meetings. The bill introduces amendments to Minnesota Statutes that establish definitions for 'closed meeting records' and the necessary protocols for such meetings. The legislation mandates that the commission must meet a minimum of three times per year and sets forth requirements for maintaining confidentiality and record-keeping for closed meetings.

Contention

The notable point of contention regarding HF1710 is centered around the trade-off between transparency and confidentiality. Critics may argue that prolonged secrecy surrounding closed meeting records could hinder public trust in governmental operations, particularly in the cybersecurity realm where public interest is significant. On the other hand, proponents of the bill may contend that these measures are essential to protect sensitive information that could be exploited if disclosed prematurely.