SB191 Summary

• Amends Alabama Open Meetings Act to define and prohibit "serial meetings," which are series of gatherings where less than a quorum attends each individual meeting but collectively constitute a quorum, with no public notice, held to circumvent open meetings requirements.

• Expands definition of "deliberation" to include exchange of information or ideas among a quorum of committee, subcommittee, or full governmental body members intended to influence voting on matters expected to come before the body, while clarifying that two individuals may talk together without triggering meeting requirements.

• Clarifies that Alabama Legislature proceedings are solely governed by the Alabama Constitution requiring open doors unless secrecy is voted upon, and exempts the Legislature from all other provisions of the Open Meetings Act.

• Establishes that prevailing plaintiffs in civil actions for Open Meetings Act violations receive all civil penalties awarded, with minimum penalty of $1 and maximum of $1,000 or one-half monthly salary per meeting violation, whichever is less.

• Becomes effective the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.