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2016 SESSION

16103903D
HOUSE BILL NO. 757
Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled January 12, 2016
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-3707.2, relating to meetings of local or regional public bodies; public comment.
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Patron-- Bell, Robert B.
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Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 2.2-3707.2 as follows:

§ 2.2-3707.2. Meetings of local or regional public bodies; public comment.

A. As used in this section, "local public body" means any legislative body, authority, board, bureau, commission, district, or agency of any county, city, or town, including municipal councils, governing bodies of counties, school boards, and planning commissions, and any committee, subcommittee, or other entity, however designated, of the local public body created to perform delegated functions of the local public body or to advise the local public body. "Local public body" includes regional public bodies.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-3707, at least seven days prior to a public meeting and at least 24 hours prior to an emergency public meeting a local public body shall disseminate, which may include posting on the local public body's official website, to the public an agenda for such public meeting. A local public body shall provide at any public meeting at least five minutes for members of the public to comment on each item on the agenda for the public meeting that is before the local public body prior to taking official action. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a local public body from adopting rules not in conflict with the provisions of this section necessary for the conduct of its meeting and the maintenance of order.