SF 2518 Summary

• Expands the definition of "public body" subject to open meeting requirements to explicitly include state agencies, boards, commissions, departments, and local public pension plans governed by specific statutes.

• Requires public bodies to state specific grounds and applicable statutory citations on the record before closing a meeting, rather than just describing the subject matter.

• Adds new provisions allowing open meetings to be recorded and photographed if not disruptive, and permits electronic meetings during health pandemics or emergencies if conditions are met, including roll call voting and public access at the regular meeting location.

• Simplifies notice requirements for special meetings by allowing public bodies to post notices in publicly accessible areas when bulletin boards or meeting room doors are not generally accessible to the public.

• Allows state agencies to satisfy publication requirements by posting notices in the State Register and on their websites instead of traditional newspapers.