This bill amends the Nebraska Revised Statutes to enhance regulations surrounding open meetings and virtual conferencing, particularly for electric suppliers proposing new generation facilities. It requires that applicants for facilities with a generating capacity exceeding ten megawatts conduct at least one public meeting with advance notice, ensuring that a majority of the governing body is present either in person or via videoconference. The bill also exempts these meetings from certain notice requirements previously outlined in section 84-1411. Additionally, it introduces provisions for privately developed renewable energy generation facilities, allowing exemptions from specific regulatory requirements if they notify the board of their intent to construct and certify compliance with environmental and operational standards.

Moreover, the bill establishes guidelines for public meetings, emphasizing the use of virtual conferencing. It allows public bodies to modify meeting agendas to include emergency items during the meeting and sets new requirements for virtual meetings, such as providing reasonable advance notice and ensuring public access through dial-in options. It limits the number of virtual meetings certain public bodies can hold to no more than half of their meetings in a calendar year, with exceptions for specific organizations. The bill also permits virtual meetings during emergencies declared by the Governor and clarifies conditions under which public bodies not previously listed may hold virtual meetings. Certain outdated sections of the Revised Statutes Supplement, 2025, are repealed to align with these new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 70-1014, 70-1014.02, 84-1411