SB228 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Vivian Davis FiguresSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Open Meetings Act, participation in meetings by electronic communication further provided, Sec. 36-25A-5.1 am'd.

Summary

SB228 would allow government bodies with members from multiple counties to participate in meetings remotely and count those participants toward quorum, with public access requirements and meeting summaries.

What This Bill Does

It lets members participate via electronic communication and be counted as present for quorum purposes. It requires at least one physical public location for in-person attendance and ensures the public can hear remote participants. It also requires posting a summary of the meeting within 48 hours, and imposes restrictions on certain bodies, physical presence requirements for deliberations, roll-call voting, and no reimbursement for remote participants. It provides options for existing authorities to continue under current rules and specifies an effective date after enactment.

Who It Affects

• Members of governmental bodies comprised of members from two or more counties, who can participate remotely and have that participation counted toward quorum.
• The general public and residents, who will have access to remote participation at a public location and receive posted summaries to understand what happened during meetings.

Key Provisions

• Electronic participation by members shall count toward quorum for multi-county governmental bodies.
• Each meeting must have a physical location where the public can be present and hear all remote participants, with the location publicly published.
• Utilization of electronic communication must comply with the act and public access via the physical location is sufficient; no full public remote access is required beyond that location.
• If a meeting is conducted electronically, a summary must be posted publicly within 48 hours after the meeting, detailing deliberations and actions.
• Certain bodies are prohibited from electronic participation (e.g., Board of Pardons and Paroles, Public Service Commission, legislative committees during session, and others listed).
• A majority of a quorum must be physically present to conduct any business or deliberation; only physically present members may participate in executive sessions.
• Votes using electronic equipment must be roll-call votes with each member voting individually and audibly at the physical location.
• Remote participants cannot claim reimbursement for expenses (mileage or per diem).
• If another authority exists that governs electronic meetings, that authority may continue or adopt these provisions.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and 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

State Government