Several bills amending the state’s sunshine law are still moving, and appear likely to pass in something like their current form. If you know of others, please leave a comment identifying the bill. Here are the ones I noted.
Permits use of interactive conference technology to increase ability of members of state and county boards and commissions to attend board meetings. Establishes requirements for notice and use of visual aids.
Creates a process for an agency to obtain judicial review of a decision made by the Office of Information Practices relating to the Sunshine Law or the Uniform Information Practices Act, and clarifies standard of review.
Allows board and commission members to hear testimony for a meeting canceled for lack of quorum, to attend informational meetings, and for a four-year period to discuss board business via social media.
This bill includes temporary guidelines for discussion of issues via social media, as follows.
(f) From July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2016 only, two or more members of a board, but less than the number of members which would constitute a quorum for the board, may participate in a discussion on a social media website about matters relating to official board business; provided that the board has previously adopted a policy on the use of social media and no commitment to vote is made or sought and the discussion on the social media website:
(1) Is accessible at any time to any member of the public via the Internet;
(2) Allows participation by interested members of the public; and
(3) Remains available for public viewing for a reasonable period of time on the social media website.
Upon request by any person, the board shall provide a list of all board members using social media and the social media addresses or identifications used for discussions subject to this subsection by those members.
For the purpose of this subsection, “social media website” means a website that facilitates social interaction among an unlimited number of persons for the purposes of friendship, meeting other persons, or information exchanges, and allows persons using the website to communicate with other users.
Also still alive…
HB1611 HD2
Allows multiple board members to attend the same public gatherings and community events that are not related to any matter over which the board is currently exercising its authority and meets requirements for permitted interactions. Allows multiple members to attend the same conferences and seminars if the member produces a public report and meets requirements for permitted interactions. Allows notice of board meetings to be sent to persons requesting notice by e-mail.
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SB 2859 has another provision that is also disturbing–it would permit multiple members of a board to attend a meeting at which matters under consideration by the board are discussed and to discuss those matters at the meeting and with each other. This in effect by-passes the intent of the Sunshine laws to let the public know when, where, and what board members will be discussing in advance. SB 611, though not without its dangers, is much better, allowing multiple board members to attend meetings NOT related to Board business.