The bill amends South Dakota's open meeting laws to clarify the definition of "teleconference" and the conditions under which public meetings are considered official. It specifies that an "official meeting" includes any gathering of a quorum of a public body where official business or public policy is discussed, whether in person or through various electronic means, such as teleconferencing, instant messaging, or virtual platforms. The bill also outlines that public bodies are not required to hold public comment periods during certain types of meetings, such as executive sessions or inaugurations, and it establishes that meetings held by township supervisors or similar entities for specific purposes are exempt from open meeting provisions.

Additionally, the bill introduces new language regarding the posting of public notices for events hosted by nongovernmental entities that a quorum of the public body may attend, allowing for a notice of a quorum instead of a full agenda. The amendments aim to enhance transparency while providing flexibility for public bodies in their operations and interactions with the public. A violation of these provisions is classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/15/2025: 1-25-1, 1-25-12
House Local Government Engrossed, 01/23/2025: 1-25-1, 1-25-12
Enrolled, 03/05/2025: 1-25-1, 1-25-12