The third time may be the charm for Senate Bill 180. SB 180 passed the House Local Government committee on Tuesday in its third incarnation.

Committee members voted to pass an amended version of SB 180 on an 8-5 vote. The amended draft requires the total dollar amount of local government employees’ benefits be annually published on the entities website or in the designated newspaper.

SB 180 was passed by the Senate Local Government committee in the same form, but last week was amended on the Senate floor, removing the online posting capability.

Sen. Corey Brown (23), the bill’s sponsor, said the requirement allows local government bodies to “refocus on the cost of the services they provide” and shows taxpayers what exactly their tax dollars are being used for.

SB 180 would list the total dollar amount paid to employees for the employer’s share of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), retirement, any nonprofessional membership fee, and the average amount paid per employee or officer for health insurance.

Opponents of the bill argued the benefit information is already available for the public to view.

“If you want this information you can come and (see) it,” Lobbyist Dick Tieszen testified. “It’s public record.”