SUMMARY:  LC 28 0351S

See also HB 98

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

Emergency conditions include, but shall not be limited to, federal, state, or local declarations of emergency.  No declaration is necessary for state entities to find that emergency conditions necessitate their meeting by teleconference.

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

If the meeting is a public hearing, members of the public must be afforded the means to participate fully as if physically present.

When a member is meeting by teleconference in nonemergency conditions, participation means full participation as if physically present. 

The bill has been amended to attach a lottery-related bill. 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon signature of the Governor