The bill amends various sections of Vermont law to clarify definitions and requirements related to public bodies and their meetings. Notably, the definition of "undue hardship" is revised to emphasize the significant difficulty or expense faced by the government entity in achieving compliance, taking into account factors such as size, available resources, and staffing. Additionally, the term "public agencies" is replaced with "public bodies," and provisions are established for hybrid meeting requirements for state public bodies, mandating both physical and electronic participation, while allowing exceptions for site inspections and field visits.

Further amendments include the requirement for public bodies to electronically record meetings and retain these recordings for a minimum of 30 days. The bill also specifies that meeting agendas must contain sufficient details about the matters to be discussed, and it introduces new definitions related to disorderly conduct, particularly in the context of disrupting lawful assemblies or meetings. The intent of the General Assembly is to ensure that these changes align with constitutional requirements as articulated in a previous Supreme Court decision. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1-310, 1-312, 1-313
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 1-310, 1-312, 1-313
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 1-310, 1-312, 1-313
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 1-310, 1-312, 1-313, 13-1026
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 1-310, 1-312, 1-313, 13-1026
As Enacted: 1-310, 1-312, 1-313, 13-1026