SB316 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

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

Summary

SB316 would let Alabama governmental bodies with members from multiple counties meet remotely using electronic communications, require public observation, and set rules for presence, voting, and executive sessions.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes remote meetings for multi-county governmental bodies using telephone or video and ensures participants can see and hear each other. Remote participation counts as presence for most purposes except establishing a quorum. When meetings use electronic communication, the public must be able to observe and hear remotely and this must be stated in the meeting notice. It also lists bodies that cannot use remote participation, requires a physical location for meetings, requires roll call votes, restricts reimbursement for remote participants, and sets physical presence requirements for certain deliberations and executive sessions.

Who It Affects

• Governmental bodies composed of members from two or more counties; these bodies may meet remotely and have remote participation count as presence (except for quorum) while also providing for public observation.
• Members of the public (observers) who wish to observe remote meetings; the bill guarantees they can observe and hear meetings conducted electronically, subject to listed exclusions for certain bodies.

Key Provisions

• Allows government bodies with members from two or more counties to participate remotely via telephone or video and counts remote presence as presence for purposes other than quorum.
• Requires a designated physical meeting location for public attendance and ensures remote observers can listen and watch when electronic participation is used; publishes remote observation information with notice.
• Prohibits remote participation for certain bodies (e.g., Board of Pardons and Paroles, Public Service Commission, some legislative committees, and others) and maintains that a majority of a quorum must be physically present to conduct business.
• Requires roll-call votes for remote meetings; only physically present members may participate in executive sessions; remote participants cannot claim reimbursement for expenses; allows existing electronic meeting authority to continue if alternative rules exist.
• Effective date: takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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