With a lot of talk about transparency surrounding government and residents using their own phones to livestream government meetings, Indiana's General Assembly and Gov. Eric Holcomb have acted for constituents. 

Holcomb signed HEA 1167 earlier this month, and while the new law is a requirement for government meetings to be live streamed or recorded there is a drawback. 

While signed into law, it will not go into effect until July 1, 2025. 

Furthermore, the new legislation applies strictly to school boards, state agencies, township, county, city and town government bodies, as well as any governing body that conducts regular meetings in the same meeting room. 

The legislation, which was authored by Republican Rep. Ben Smaltz, forces those conducting the meeting to live stream the meeting and archive a copy of the meeting. 

Should there not be internet for livestreaming, the agency conducting the meeting must record it and make it available for constituents for at least 90 days. The public will be able to access, copy and download the meeting for free, according to the law.

Should a government body refuse or not adhere to the law, it could be subject to an Open Door Law complaint with the Indiana Public Access Counselor.