SB316 Alabama 2022 Session

Under existing law, the Open Meetings Act provides that governmental bodies comprised of members from two or more counties may conduct meetings where certain members may participate by means of telephone conference, video conference, or other similar communication equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. However, participants communicating in this manner are not considered present at the meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum

This bill would authorize governmental bodies as defined to meet remotely; would provide for members of a governmental body to participate remotely in meetings which allows participants to see and hear each other for the purpose of the meeting; and would provide that, if a meeting is conducted utilizing electronic communication to allow members to participate remotely, members of the public would be allowed to observe and hear the meeting remotely

Relating to the Alabama Open Meetings Act; to amend Section 36-25A-5.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for participation by electronic communication at meetings of governmental bodies.