SB126 Summary

• Members of governmental bodies comprised of representatives from two or more counties may participate in meetings via telephone conference, video conference, or similar equipment that allows all participants to hear each other simultaneously.

• Electronic participation counts as physical presence for all purposes except establishing a quorum; a majority of the quorum must be physically present at a noticed meeting location to conduct business.

• Every meeting must have one physical location available where the public can attend and hear all remote participants; public attendance at this location satisfies Alabama Open Meetings Act compliance.

• The Board of Pardons and Paroles, Public Service Commission, standing legislative committees during session, governing boards under the Students First Act of 2011, state agencies acting in quasi-judicial capacity, and the Alabama Ethics Commission are prohibited from using electronic participation.

• All votes at meetings using electronic communications must be taken as roll call votes audible to all participants; members using electronic participation cannot claim reimbursement for expenses including mileage and per diem.