SUMMARY:  LC 47 1002S

The bill amends the Open Meetings Act to clarify provisions on meetings and hearings by teleconference during a state of emergency.

Emergency conditions include declarations of federal, state, or local states of emergency.  State agencies do not require an emergency declaration to find that emergency conditions exist necessitating meeting by teleconference.

Participation by teleconference means full participation in the same manner as if present.

If the meeting by teleconference is a public hearing, members of the public must be afforded the means to participate fully in the same manner as if they were physically present. 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon signature of the Governor