Area Residents Learn About Missouri’s Sunshine Law

About 35 people attended a free seminar to learn more about Missouri's Sunshine Law at the Heckart Community Center, 1800 W. 3rd, on Wednesday evening.

The session was hosted and sponsored by Sedalia Business Women's Legislative Committee and led by Jay Turner, director of Sunshine Law Compliance for the Missouri Attorney General's Office.

Turner appeared to know Sunshine Law inside and out. He was the perfect expert guest for the topic, as he gave 57 presentations on the Sunshine Law last year alone across Missouri.

“And I think we're on track to meet or beat (that number) this year,” Turner told KSIS after the 90-minute meeting.

“I think one of the biggest questions I get, both from citizens and public bodies, is 'Does my request have to be in writing?'” Turner noted. “Do I have to submit it in writing?”

He added that Sunshine Law sessions are one of the biggest requests that the Attorney General's Office receives on a regular basis.

“The law is over 50 years old, and it's one of the most important topics a citizen can have, is knowing what their government is doing,” Turner stated.

Turner has served in his current position since February, 2023, and has had Sunshine Law duties with the Attorney General's office since 2017.

Generally speaking, Missouri's Sunshine Law applies to Public Governmental Bodies, or PGB. His office can give guidance, but not legal advice.

Each attendee was given a 75-page booklet published by Andrew Bailey's Office that is chock full of detailed information about the Sunshine Law. The booklet is also available online through ago.mo.gov.

Turner's office investigates violations of the law, but does not determine that a violation has taken place. Only a court can do that, Turner explained.

Generally, it takes up to 21 days for a complaint to work its way into the system, due to the large number of complaints received by the AG's office.

By the way, no complaints are confidential and are certainly not anonymous. Complainants must identify themselves and should include as many details as possible to make it easier for Turner's office to investigate.

Although there are 26 reasons to legally close a meeting, Turner noted that all PGB meetings should be open by default.

The same is true when submitting a records request of a PGB, always include as much detail as possible and create a paper trail (or an electronic one).

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Lori Wightman is co-chair of the SBW's Legislative Committee, along with Dianne Simon, Michelle O'Donnell and Robin Balke.

“There are several of us (in the SBW) who work for governmental entities, and there's always something to learn,” Wightman said, adding that the SBW decided that learning about the Sunshine Law would be a great topic of discussion.

Even though some governmental entities provide training in that area for their employees, the general public doesn't always have that advantage. “The public wants to know what the rules are as well,” said Wightman, who also serves as CEO of Bothwell Regional Health Center.

At the suggestion of Kevin Lujin (Pettis County Pachyderm Club president), Balke was was able to contact Turner and secure him for Wednesday night's presentation.

“We're always looking for a way to support the community, besides just in our own support group of women. The SBW Legislative Committee thought this would be a great community service and education” that the club could offer,” Wightman stated, adding that the SBW is open to suggestions for future events.

“I appreciate the community showing interest in learning more about a topic that is of governmental interest,” Wightman noted.