In 2021 the General Assembly amended the Sunshine Act to require government entities to make their agenda for an upcoming meeting available to the public at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Recognizing the need for flexibility, the 2021 amendments also included reasonable exceptions to the 24-Hour Rule including actions relating to emergencies, de minimis matters occurring between the publication of the notice and the meeting, and de minimis matters brought to the attention of the agency by a resident or taxpayer at the meeting. The amendments also provided that an agency may change its agenda at a meeting by a majority vote and announcing the change to those present at the meeting prior to the vote.
 
Due to the way this section of the Sunshine Act is written, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court interpreted this majority vote procedure as a valid exception to the 24-Hour Rule. This allows the 24-Hour Rule to be circumvented by allowing virtually any matter to be considered without giving the public 24-hour notice. I believe this runs contrary to the intent of the rule and Sunshine Act to provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to be informed of upcoming matters to be discussed at meetings of their local municipality, school district, and Commonwealth agencies. In light of this decision, I intend to introduce legislation to clarify the Sunshine Act by providing for the three exceptions outlined above and limiting the majority vote procedure to only these exceptions.
 
An informed and engaged citizenry is important for democracy to thrive. The 24-Hour Rule was enacted by the General Assembly to ensure residents are better able to inform themselves of upcoming public meetings that affect their everyday lives. Without this fix, we risk undermining the purpose of the Sunshine Act and the 2021 amendments. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to ensure greater transparency at public meetings.