This bill amends RSA 91-A:2, III to allow public bodies to allow one or more members to participate in a meeting by electronic or other means of communication. The bill specifies that a member may participate remotely when attendance in person is not reasonably practical, and the reason for remote participation must be stated in the meeting minutes. The bill also requires that at least two members of the public body be physically present at the meeting location, unless there is an emergency that requires immediate action and a physical quorum is not reasonably practical. The determination of an emergency and the facts supporting it must be included in the meeting minutes. The bill also specifies that each member participating remotely must be able to simultaneously hear and speak to each other, and be audible or discernable to the public in attendance at the meeting location. The bill further states that a member participating remotely is deemed to be present for all purposes, including determining a quorum and voting, and all votes taken during a remote meeting must be by roll call vote. The bill also includes provisions regarding compliance with public meeting requirements and an effective date of January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 91-A:2