Two whistleblower protection bills by local legislator Kirk Wagoner are moving forward with bipartisan support. After hearing by the House Judicial Committee last week, House Bills 202 and 208 got the nod from the committee. Under the bills, employees are protected from retaliation for coming forward to voice public concern of waste, fraud and abuse.
“This is an incredibly important, non-partisan issue that will further protect any civil servants who want to voice their public concern,” Rep. Kirk Wagoner, R-Montana City, told the committee. “These protections will help provide transparency, hold government accountable and provide a safe working environment.”
A whistleblower who comes forward has the right under the bills to receive compensation for grievances experienced as a result. Wagoner said he modeled the bills after similar laws in other states and on the federal level. In a second reading on the House floor at the end of the week, each bill earned strong support from both parties, with House Bill 208 gaining a 76-24 vote and HB 202 passing 63-37.
