Bill > H4771

This bill aims to modernize participation in public meetings. Key provisions include: - Increasing the number of persons required to constitute a quorum for a public meeting from 25 to 26. - Defining "remote access" and "remote participation" to allow the public and members of public bodies to view and participate in meetings remotely. - Requiring public bodies to provide remote access and remote participation at all meetings, with certain exceptions and accommodations for members with disabilities. - Establishing requirements for posting meeting notices and making meeting minutes available. - Allowing the Attorney General to impose civil penalties of up to $200 for repeat violations of the open meeting law. - Providing a hardship waiver process for rural communities to conduct meetings with either remote access or in a physically accessible public place. The bill also sets different effective dates for the various provisions, with the remote access and participation requirements taking effect on April 1, 2025, and the repeal of the hardship waiver provision on June 30, 2028.