NC S840

Allows public bodies in Winston-Salem to conduct official meetings using simultaneous communication (conference telephone or other electronic means) with members participating remotely.

Requires public bodies to adopt rules of procedure addressing member identity verification, orderly deliberation, voting processes, vote recording, and public access to meetings before conducting electronic meetings.

Permits members participating remotely to be counted as present for quorum and have their votes counted as if physically present, provided the meeting is properly noticed and members can hear and be heard by others.

Prohibits remote participation in closed sessions (except during emergencies) and quasi-judicial proceedings, and requires members participating by audio-only means to identify themselves when roll is taken, before deliberation, and before voting.

Becomes effective October 1, 2014, and ratifies any remote votes cast by public bodies before that date.