ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: GOV DP 7-0-0-0

HB 2231: advisory committee; subcommittee; exemption

Sponsor: Representative Hendrix, LD 14

Caucus & COW

Overview

Adds an exemption to public meeting law, in a specified circumstance, for a three-member advisory committee or subcommittee.

History

Public bodies must hold their meetings as public meetings. Any person wishing to attend and listen to these meetings must be allowed to do so. Public bodies are required to provide written minutes or a recording of all their meetings, which must include the date, time and place of the meeting, each members attendance, a general description of matters considered and an accurate description of legal actions proposed, including a record of how each member voted. In addition, public bodies must provide notice via a statement on their website or on an association of cities and towns website stating where all other notices will be posted (A.R.S. §§ 38-431.01, 38-431.02).

If a meeting is held in violation of public meeting law all legal action that occurred during the meeting is null and void, with exceptions. Statute dictates enforcement options available for a violation of public meeting law, including that the Attorney General or the county attorney may file a suit in the superior court for the purpose of requiring compliance or preventing a violation (A.R.S. §§ 38-431.05, 38-431.07).

Provisions

1. Adds an exemption to public meeting law for a quorum of a three-member advisory committee or subcommittee involving a discussion or deliberation of a matter before the committee or subcommittee. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes a technical change. (Sec. 1)

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6. HB 2231

7. Initials JH/SR Page 0 Caucus & COW

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