OH HB257

Authorizes certain Ohio public bodies to hold meetings and hearings via video conference or similar electronic technology, with resolutions and votes having the same effect as in-person actions

Excludes the General Assembly, courts, State Board of Education, Bureau of Workers' Compensation board, Ohio Elections Commission, county commissioners, township trustees, municipal/charter county legislative authorities, school boards, and boards of elections from virtual meeting provisions

Requires public bodies to adopt policies specifying 72-hour advance notice, public access via livestreaming, roll call votes, and 48-hour advance notification by members intending to attend virtually

Prohibits virtual meetings for votes on major nonroutine expenditures, significant hiring decisions, or tax issues, and requires in-person meetings if 10% or two members request it for specific agenda items

Allows retirement boards (Public Employees, Police and Fire, School Employees, Highway Patrol) to adopt video conference policies requiring at least one-half in-person attendance annually and one-third physical presence at each meeting