SB126 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Alabama Open Meetings Act, members of governmental bodies may participate in meetings and deliberation electronically
Summary: SB126 would let certain multi-county government bodies participate in meetings electronically under specific rules.
What This Bill Does
It allows members of governmental bodies made up of members from two or more counties to join meetings by phone or video, and they are considered present for most purposes except when establishing a quorum. There must be a physical location where the public can attend and hear those participating remotely, and this location must be published. The electronic participation must follow the Alabama Open Meetings Act, and public access to the electronic feed is not required. Some bodies are barred from using electronic participation, votes must be by roll call audible at the physical location, and members using this method cannot be reimbursed; bodies with other authority can continue under that authority or opt into this section.

Who It Affects
Members of governmental bodies composed of members from two or more counties, who may participate remotely and be considered present (except for quorum).
The general public, who may attend in person at the designated physical location and hear the meeting, including remote participants.

Key Provisions
Allows electronic participation (telephone/video) for two-or-more county governmental bodies; such participation counts as presence for all purposes except quorum.
Requires at least one physical location where the public can attend and hear remote participants; the location must be published under the Open Meetings Act.
Voting via electronic participation must be by roll call and audible at the physical location; only physically present members may participate in executive sessions; no reimbursement of expenses for those using this section; certain bodies are prohibited from using electronic participation.
Prohibits electronic participation for specific bodies (e.g., Board of Pardons and Paroles, Public Service Commission, legislative standing committees during session, certain boards under Students First Act of 2011, quasi-judicial boards handling employment or rulemaking, and the Alabama Ethics Commission); bodies with other statutory or constitutional authority may continue under that authority or opt into this section.

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