Bill > HB615

This bill requires certain public bodies to broadcast their meetings live, meaning they must make audio and video of the meeting available to the public in real or near real-time via the internet or television. The bill amends existing law to expand which public bodies are subject to this requirement, including specific types of nonelected boards and commissions that can levy taxes, promulgate rules, or impose fines or fees, with some exceptions for smaller districts. It also mandates that parish governing authorities and school boards in parishes with populations of 25,000 or more, and municipal governing authorities in municipalities with populations of 10,000 or more, must broadcast all their proceedings live, including committee meetings, though volunteer committee meetings are exempt. Additionally, public notices for these meetings must include information on how the public can access the broadcast, and all meetings must be video recorded and archived online for at least two years. The bill clarifies that a technological failure beyond the public body's control is not considered a violation, and these live broadcast requirements do not apply to executive sessions.