SF10 Summary: Open Meetings Public Comment Requirement

• Creates new requirement for all open meetings of public bodies in Minnesota to provide public comment periods, allowing members of the public to directly address the body on agenda items before or during consideration of those items.

• Permits public bodies to adopt reasonable rules and regulations governing public comments, including limiting total time allocated for comments on specific issues or per speaker, and restricting scope of comments to current agenda items.

• Applies public comment requirements to meetings conducted by electronic means including telephone, interactive television, and other remote participation methods.

• Amends electronic meeting provisions across multiple state boards and councils to explicitly permit public participation in testimony and public comment periods during remotely conducted meetings.

• Exempts closed meetings from the public comment requirement while maintaining existing conditions for electronic meetings, such as allowing at least one member to participate from locations not open to the public under limited circumstances (military service, medical reasons during declared emergencies).