Plain English Breakdown
The official text defines the expiration as exactly 225 days after effectiveness, but does not specify a calendar date in the excerpt provided.
Temporary Extension of Virtual Meeting Rules for D.C.
This law temporarily changes District rules to allow public meetings to be considered open if officials take steps reasonably calculated to let people watch or listen live, or as soon as possible after the meeting ends if live viewing is not technologically feasible.
What This Bill Does
- Amends the Open Meetings Act on a temporary basis for 225 days from when it takes effect.
- Defines an open meeting as one where the public body takes steps reasonably calculated to allow the public to view or hear the meeting while it is taking place.
- Allows meetings to be considered open if live viewing is not technologically feasible, provided they are made available as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable.
- Updates rules about what counts as attending a meeting to include situations where steps are taken that allow the public to view or hear the meeting.
Who It Names or Affects
- Public bodies in the District of Columbia subject to the Open Meetings Act.
- Members of the public who wish to view or hear government meetings online.
Terms To Know
- Open Meetings Act
- The law requiring government groups in D.C. to hold their business sessions where the public can see and hear them.
- Public body
- A group of people, such as a board or commission, that makes decisions for the District government under this act.
Limits and Unknowns
- This law expires automatically after 225 days from when it takes effect.
- The text does not specify exactly what technology must be used to allow public viewing.
- It is unclear how officials will decide if a delay in posting the meeting is 'reasonably practicable'.