SB147 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Meetings of governmental bodies, with members from two or more counties, participation by electronic means authorized under certain conditions, may be counted for a quorum, means of access required to be published, Sec. 36-25A-5.1 am'd.

Summary

SB147 lets certain multi-county and local government bodies hold meetings with some members attending electronically, while keeping physical attendance requirements for quorum and public access.

What This Bill Does

It allows members of governmental bodies with members from two or more counties to participate via electronic means, counting as presence except for quorum, as long as a portion is physically present. It requires published access for electronic participation and lets the public hear the meeting, but not participate electronically. It adds a new section to allow electronic attendance by local bodies (counties, municipalities, or entities appointed by them) under similar conditions, including a policy requirement and a physical meeting location for public access, with votes by roll call and no reimbursement for electronic participation. It also lists bodies that cannot participate electronically and preserves action validity if electronic equipment fails.

Who It Affects

• Members of governmental bodies comprised of members from two or more counties: they may participate electronically, are counted as present for most purposes but not for establishing a quorum unless enough are physically present, and cannot claim reimbursement for electronic participation.
• General public attending meetings: they may listen to meetings conducted with electronic participation, must have access published and a physical meeting location where they can hear all participants, and cannot participate electronically themselves.

Key Provisions

• Amends 36-25A-5.1 to allow electronic participation by members of multi-county bodies, with presence counted except for quorum and with at least a subset physically present.
• Requires published means of access for electronic participation and allows the public to hear the meeting, but not to participate electronically beyond listening.
• Prohibits certain state bodies from electronic participation (examples include Board of Pardons and Paroles, Public Service Commission, Legislature standing committees, Students First Act restrictions, quasi-judicial employment or rulemaking bodies, and the Ethics Commission).
• Requires majority of a quorum to be physically present to conduct business and to hold an executive session only for those physically present.
• Requires roll-call voting for meetings using electronic means, and prohibits reimbursement for electronic participation.
• Adds Section 36-25A-5.2 allowing electronic attendance for local government bodies (counties/municipalities or their appointed entities) with physical quorum rules and illness exceptions, plus a 45-day policy requirement and physical public meeting location.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (around July 1, 2022).

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