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2014 SESSION

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SB 161 FOIA; participation in meetings by electronic communication in event of emergency, etc.

Introduced by: Barbara A. Favola | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; participation in meetings in event of emergency or personal matters. Removes the requirement that a public body approve by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting the remote participation in the meeting by one of its members. The bill instead requires the public body to have adopted a written policy allowing for and governing participation including an approval process for such participation of its members by electronic communication means. Once adopted, the public body shall apply this policy strictly and uniformly, without exception, to its entire membership, and without regard to the identity of the member requesting remote participation or the matters that will be considered or voted on at the meeting. This bill is identical to HB 193.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; participation in meetings in event of emergency or personal matters. Provides that if a public body does not approve of the remote participation of one of its members in the event that an emergency or personal matter prevents such an attendance, the public body must record the reason for the disapproval in the meeting minutes.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; participation in meetings in event of emergency or personal matters. Removes the requirement that a public body approve by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting the remote participation in the meeting by one of its members in the event that an emergency or personal matter prevents his attendance in person at the meeting.