MS Accountability and Transparency Act; revise to include certain counties and municipalities.
The legislation is expected to significantly alter how financial information is shared at the local level, particularly for counties with populations exceeding 20,000 and municipalities with populations over 10,000. These governments will be mandated to provide easily accessible and searchable information, which proponents argue will foster accountability and trust among constituents. The introduction of such requirements represents a crucial shift towards greater transparency in local government operations.
House Bill 336 seeks to amend the Mississippi Accountability and Transparency Act of 2008 to enhance public accessibility to governmental financial information. The bill revises the definition of 'agency' to include counties and municipalities, subsequently requiring these entities to establish transparency websites, or separate sections on their existing websites, by July 1, 2024. This initiative aims to enable better public access to financial reports, audits, budgets, and other documents that relate to the allocation and spending of public funds.
One of the most critical aspects of HB 336 is its provision that mandates municipalities and counties to disclose expenditures related to settlements for sexual harassment claims amounting to $150,000 or more. This clause has sparked debate regarding privacy concerns and the potential stigmatization of municipalities facing such settlements. Critics argue that publicizing these details could detract from the intended transparency and instead create an environment of fear or backlash against local governments attempting to handle sensitive matters discreetly.