ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: GOV DP 6-3-0-0

HB 2481: open meetings; public body; legislature

Sponsor: Representative Parker B, LD 10

House Engrossed

Overview

Modifies statute relating to public proceedings and meetings.

History

A public body is defined as the Legislature, all boards and commissions of this state or political subdivisions, all multimember governing bodies of the state, all quasi-judicial bodies and all standing, special or advisory committees or subcommittees of the public body.  All meetings of a public body must be public meetings and anyone desiring to attend must be allowed to attend and listen to the deliberations and proceedings (A.R.S. §§ 38-431, 38-431.01).

Provisions

1.   Removes the Legislature from the definition of public body as it relates to open meeting laws. (Sec. 1)

2.   Requires all public bodies to provide an opportunity for public comment in person before any final decision subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions. (Sec. 2)

3.   Specifies that all public bodies, rather than schools, school boards, executive boards and municipalities, must provide an amount of seating sufficient to accommodate the reasonably anticipated attendance. (Sec. 2)

4.   Applies website posting, statement and recording requirements to all public bodies, rather than just a city or town with a population of more than 2,500 people. (Sec. 2)

5.   Requires, rather than allows, a public body to make an open call to the public during a public meeting to allow individuals to address the public body. (Sec. 2)

6.   Prohibits meetings from being held without at least 48, rather than 24, hours' notice to the members of the public body and the general public. (Sec. 3)

7.   Allows a meeting to be recessed and resumed with less than 48, rather than 24, hours' notice provided statutory requirements are followed. (Sec. 3)

8.   Dictates that an agenda must be made available to the public at least 48, rather than 24, hours before the meeting. (Sec. 3)

9.   Adds that agendas must be made publicly available online and include a hyperlink to any relevant texts under consideration by the public body and referenced in the agenda. (Sec. 3)

10.  ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteMakes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2-4)

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14.                    HB 2481

15.  Initials SJ Page 0 House Engrossed

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