SB1209 - 472R - House Bill Summary

House of Representatives

SB 1209

public meetings; minutes; web site

Sponsors: Senator Johnson, Senator Harper, Senator Martin et al

DP	Committee on Counties, Municipalities and Military Affairs
DPA	Caucus and COW
x	As Transmitted to the Governor

Requires cities and towns to post notice of public meetings, any legal actions taken at the meeting and meeting minutes on their internet website.

History

Before a public body may hold a public meeting, notice must be given to the public. A.R.S. § 38-431-02 requires public bodies to provide at least twenty-four hours notice of a meeting, however an emergency meeting may be held with appropriate notice. The public body must post an agenda with specific issues that will be discussed and only issues listed on the agenda may be discussed at the meeting. Current law, as outlined in A.R.S. § 38-431.01, requires all meetings held by a public body to be open to the general public. Any legal action must take place at a public meeting and statute requires either written or recorded minutes to be taken.

Provisions

· Requires public bodies of cities and towns that have a population exceeding 2,500 persons and a website to post the following information relating to public meetings:

· Notices and any additional public notice that is reasonable and practical.

· Meeting minutes or recordings, within three days of approval by the public body.

· Legal actions taken by the public body during a meeting within three days after the meeting.

· Stipulates that a technological problem or failure that either prevents the public notices does not preclude holding a meeting if all other posting notices are complied with.

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

Forty-seventh Legislature