SB42 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2015

Title

Open Meetings, members of governmental bodies may participate in meetings and deliberation electronically, exceptions

Summary

SB42 lets certain multi-county governmental bodies participate in meetings electronically under specific rules, adding remote participation while preserving quorum, public access, and voting requirements.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows members of governmental bodies comprised of members from two or more counties to participate in meetings by telephone or video, and this remote participation counts as being present for most purposes except forming a quorum. There must be a physical location for the public to attend and hear the remote participants, and the location details must be published; votes must be by roll call and audible at that location. A majority of a quorum must be physically present to conduct business, only those physically present may participate in an executive session, and some bodies are expressly barred from using electronic participation.

Who It Affects

• Members of governmental bodies comprised of members from two or more counties who may participate remotely under the act and must follow quorum, voting, and reimbursement rules.
• Certain state bodies and agencies that are explicitly prohibited from using electronic participation under this act (e.g., Board of Pardons and Paroles; Public Service Commission; legislative standing committees during session; Students First Act boards; quasi-judicial employment/rulemaking bodies; Alabama Ethics Commission).

Key Provisions

• Allows multi-county governmental bodies to participate remotely by telephone or video, counting as present except for quorum.
• Requires one physical location for public attendance and a published location for the meeting; remote participation need not be publicly accessible beyond this.
• Remains compliant with the Alabama Open Meetings Act; remote access is allowed under this section but public access is defined by the physical location.
• Quorum rule: a majority of a quorum must be physically present to conduct business; only physically present members may participate in executive sessions.
• Voting must be conducted as a roll call with each vote audible at the physical location.
• No reimbursement of expenses for members using this electronic participation option.
• Specific bodies listed are prohibited from using electronic participation under this act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Meetings