This bill amends current law to allow public bodies in New Jersey to conduct meetings, vote, and receive public comments through electronic means without the previous restriction that such activities could only occur during a declared state of emergency, public health emergency, or state of local disaster emergency. Specifically, it removes the language that limited electronic meetings to emergency situations and inserts provisions that permit these activities to be conducted "either in whole or in part" through electronic communication at any time.

Additionally, the bill allows public bodies to provide electronic notice of meetings in lieu of the traditional adequate notice required under existing law, ensuring that they are not in violation of any legal provisions when doing so. The bill emphasizes that public business discussed during these electronic meetings should be limited to matters necessary for the continuing operation of government related to any applicable emergency declaration, although it does not restrict the authorization to perform these functions outside of emergencies. The Department of Community Affairs and the State Board of Education are also given the authority to adopt regulations to implement this act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:4-9.3