SB58 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Greg J. Reed Jerry L. Fielding Trip Pittman Bryan Taylor J.T. Waggoner Phillip W. Williams Bill Hightower Clay Scofield Rusty Glover Dick Brewbaker Del Marsh Gerald O. Dial
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Alabama Open Meetings Act, members of governmental bodies may participate in meetings and deliberation electronically
Summary: SB58 allows certain multi-county governmental bodies to participate in meetings via electronic communications under specified conditions, with a public physical location for viewing and continued Open Meetings Act compliance.
What This Bill Does
It lets members of governmental bodies comprised of members from two or more counties attend meetings by telephone or video, and their participation counts as present for most purposes except when establishing a quorum. Each meeting must have a physical location where the public can hear remote participants, and this location must be published. Electronic participation must follow the Open Meetings Act, and some bodies are restricted from using this option. Votes by those participating electronically must be roll-call and audible at the physical location, and no member may be reimbursed for expenses related to this participation. A majority of a quorum must be physically present to conduct business or deliberations, and only physically present members may participate in an executive session. The act becomes law on the date specified in the bill.

Who It Affects
Members of governmental bodies comprised of members from two or more counties; they may participate remotely (phone/video) and be counted as present except for quorum.
Prohibited or restricted bodies listed in the bill (e.g., Board of Pardons and Paroles; Public Service Commission; Legislature standing committees during session; State Board of Education; governing boards under the Students First Act; boards/agencies acting quasi-judicially on employment or rulemaking; Alabama Ethics Commission), who may not participate electronically under this section.

Key Provisions
Section 1(a): Allows two-or-more-county governmental bodies to participate in meetings via telephone, video, or similar electronic means, counting as presence for all purposes except quorum.
Section 1(b)-(f): Requires a published physical location where the public can hear remote participants, ensures compliance with Open Meetings Act, requires roll-call voting audible at the physical location, restricts executive-session participation to those physically present, and forbids reimbursement for expenses related to this electronic participation.
Section 1(d): Specifies bodies that are prohibited from using electronic participation under this section.
Section 2: Establishes the act's effective date.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Alabama Open Meetings Act