STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

SENATE BILL 96	By:	Burrage

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act; amending 25 O.S. 2011, Section 307.1, which relates to videoconferences; modifying number of members required to be present in person at meeting site for meeting held by videoconference; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     25 O.S. 2011, Section 307.1, is amended to read as follows:
Section 307.1.  A.  A public body may hold meetings by videoconference where each member of the public body is visible and audible to each other and the public through a video monitor, subject to the following:
1.  No less than a two-thirds (2/3) of the quorum of the public body shall be present in person at the meeting site as posted on the meeting notice and agenda;
2.  The meeting notice and agenda prepared in advance of the meeting, as required by law, shall indicate the meeting will include videoconferencing locations and shall state:
a.	the location, address, and telephone number of each available videoconference site, and
b.	the identity of each member of the public body and the specific site from which each member of the body shall be physically present and participating in the meeting;
3.  After the meeting notice and agenda are prepared and posted, as required by law, no member of the public body shall be allowed to participate in the meeting from any location other than the specific location posted on the agenda in advance of the meeting;
4.  In order to allow the public the maximum opportunity to attend and observe each public official carrying out the duties of the public official, a member or members of a public body desiring to participate in a meeting by videoconference shall participate in the videoconference from a site and room located within the district or political subdivision from which they are elected, appointed, or are sworn to represent;
5.  Each site and room where a member of the public body is present for a meeting by videoconference shall be open and accessible to the public, and the public shall be allowed into that site and room.  Public bodies may provide additional videoconference sites as a convenience to the public, but additional sites shall not be used to exclude or discourage public attendance at any videoconference site;
6.  The public shall be allowed to participate and speak, as allowed by rule or policy set by the public body, in a meeting at the videoconference site in the same manner and to the same extent as the public is allowed to participate or speak at the site of the meeting;
7.  Any materials shared electronically between members of the public body, before or during the videoconference, shall also be immediately available to the public in the same form and manner as shared with members of the public body; and
8.  All votes occurring during any meeting conducted using videoconferencing shall occur and be recorded by roll call vote.
B.  No public body shall conduct an executive session by videoconference.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2013.

54-1-494	CD	1/4/2013 3:28:15 PM