Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday signed into law a measure strengthening public disclosure of government.

The law clarifies that public agency employee contracts are open records.

“The people of Kansas have a right to know what their government is doing and how their tax dollars are being spent,” Sebelius said.

“I want to commend the individuals and organizations who pushed for this legislation. As a strong supporter of open government and sunshine laws, I’m pleased to sign this bill into law,” Sebelius said.

The law codifies the findings of a Douglas County District Court case in which The World Company, which owns the Lawrence Journal-World and 6News, sought contract records from Kansas University Athletic Director Lew Perkins.

The law also requires that faculty members at state universities file statements of substantial interest.

In addition, the law requires that county prosecutors report complaints of alleged violations of the Kansas Open Records Act and Kansas Open Meetings Act and how those complaints were resolved. The Attorney General’s Office will publish a summary of that information.

The measure also extends by five years more than 240 exemptions of public disclosure laws, which were set to expire July 1.

Lawmakers have said they will study the exemptions in later years to determine whether any should be repealed.