RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 43 (SB 71) 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Peacock
Prior law authorized a public body to hold a public meeting via electronic means if the
jurisdiction of the public body is within an area where the governor has declared an
emergency and holding a public meeting as otherwise provided by law would be detrimental
to the health, safety, or welfare of the public.
Prior law required the presiding officer of the public body to give notice of such a meeting
at least 24 hours in advance and to certify on the notice that the meeting is limited to one or
more of the following:
(1) Matters that are directly related to the public body's response to the emergency and
are critical to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(2) Matters that, if delayed, will cause curtailment of vital public services or severe
economic dislocation and hardship.
(3) Matters that are critical to continuation of the business of the public body and that
cannot be postponed due to legal requirements or deadlines.
New law retains prior law and provides that such a meeting may also include other critical
or time-sensitive matters that the presiding officer has determined should not be delayed if
the members of the body present approve consideration of the matters by a two-thirds vote.
Effective upon signature of governor (October 28, 2020).
(Amends R.S. 42:17.1(A))


Statutes affected:
SB71 Original: 42:1(A)
SB71 Engrossed: 42:1(A)
SB71 Reengrossed: 42:1(A)
SB71 Enrolled: 42:1(A)
SB71 Act 43: 42:1(A)