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2000 SESSION

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SB 242 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); electronic communication meetings.

Introduced by: Stephen D. Newman | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Extending the sunset date of Chapter 704 of the Acts of Assembly of 1999. Extends the exemption of certain public bodies from the FOIA’s electronic communication meeting restrictions from July 1, 2000, to July 1, 2002. The exempted entities are (i) any public body (a) in the legislative branch of state government or (b) responsible to or under the supervision, direction, or control of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade or the Secretary of Technology or (ii) the State Board for Community Colleges. The bill also extends from October 15, 2000, to April 15, 2001, the filing date for submitting a report detailing their experience with meetings held under this pilot program.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Extending the sunset date of Chapter 704 of the Acts of Assembly of 1999. Extends the exemption of certain public bodies from the FOIA’s electronic communication meeting restrictions from July 1, 2000, to July 1, 2002. The exempted entities are (i) any public body (a) in the legislative branch of state government or (b) responsible to or under the supervision, direction, or control of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade or the Secretary of Technology or (ii) the State Board for Community Colleges. The bill also extends from October 15, 2000, to April 15, 2001, the filing date for submitting a report detailing their experience with meetings held under this pilot program.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Extending the sunset date of Chapter 704 of the Acts of Assembly of 1999. Extends the expiration dates for Chapter 704 from July 1, 2000, to July 1, 2001, and the deadline for public bodies to file meeting reports from October 15, 2000, to October 15, 2001. Chapter 704 exempted public bodies (i) in the legislative branch, (ii) under the supervision, direction, or control of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, (iii) under the supervision, direction, or control of the Secretary of Technology, or (iv) under the supervision, direction, or control of the State Board for Community Colleges from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act's restrictions on electronic communication meetings, and allowed such public bodies to conduct electronic communication meetings under less restrictive provisions. This bill is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science.