HB361 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Prince ChestnutRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Meetings of governmental bodies, virtual means, Sec. 36-25A-5.1 am'd.

Summary

HB361 would allow electronic attendance at governmental meetings to count as presence for most purposes if enough members are physically present, while expanding public access to listen via electronic means and updating language.

What This Bill Does

Electronic participation by members would count as presence for all purposes except quorum; at least three members, or a majority of the quorum (whichever is less), must be physically present at a designated location to meet. The public could hear meetings held electronically, with the requirement that access information be published; remote public participation is not required. Voting would be by roll call for meetings using electronic means, and only physically present members may participate in executive sessions; the bill also includes non-substantive language updates and standard effective-date provisions.

Who It Affects

• Members of governmental bodies composed of members from two or more counties, who can participate electronically as long as the minimum physical presence rule is met.
• Members of the public, who can listen to electronic meetings and participate in person at the physical location (remote participation by the public is not required beyond hearing).
• Certain state bodies listed in subsection (d) that are prohibited from electronic participation (e.g., Board of Pardons and Paroles; Public Service Commission; Legislature standing committees when in session; Students First Act board; quasi-judicial agencies; licensure/hearing bodies; Alabama Ethics Commission).

Key Provisions

• Electronic attendance at meetings counts as present for all purposes except quorum; minimum physical presence at the meeting location is required.
• Public access to electronic meetings must be published; the public may hear the meeting and participate in person, but electronic participation by the public is not required beyond hearing.
• Roll-call voting is required for meetings held electronically; majority of a quorum must be physically present to conduct business; only physically present members may participate in executive sessions.
• The bill includes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update language and sets an effective date (first day of the third month after passage/approval).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Open Meetings