PUBLIC MEETINGS: Provides relative to live-stream video and recording of the public meetings of entities created by law (OR INCREASE LF EX See Note)

HLS 26RS-1353 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 627
BY REPRESENTATIVE KNOX
PUBLIC MEETINGS: Provides relative to live-stream video and recording of the public
meetings of entities created by law
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 42:23(B)(1) and (2)(b), (c), and (d), relative to public meetings;
3 to provide for the video recording and live broadcast of public meetings; to require
4 each public entity created by law to video record and broadcast live all proceedings
5 in a public meeting; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 42:23(B)(1) and (2)(b), (c), and (d) are hereby amended and
8 reenacted to read as follows:
9 §23. Audio and video recordings; live broadcast
10 * * *
11 B.(1)(a) Each nonelected board or commission that has the authority to levy
12 a tax shall video or audio record, film, or broadcast live all proceedings in a public
13 meeting.
14 (b) Each public entity created by law shall video record and broadcast live
15 all proceedings in a public meeting.
16 (2)
17 * * *
18 (b) For purposes of this Paragraph Subsection, "broadcast live" means the
19 publicly available distribution of audio and video of a meeting in real or near real
20 time via the internet or television broadcast.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1353 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 627
1 (c) The failure of a public body to broadcast live as required by this
2 Paragraph Subsection due to a technological failure beyond the control of the public
3 body or beyond its ability to resolve timely is not a violation of the provisions of this
4 Chapter.
5 (d) The requirement in this Paragraph Subsection for a public body to
6 broadcast its meetings does not apply to any executive session held in accordance
7 with this Chapter.
8 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 627 Original 2026 Regular Session Knox
Abstract: Provides for the video recording and live broadcast of public meetings held by a
public entity created by law.
Present law (R.S. 42:23) provides that all proceedings in a public meeting may be video
taped, audio taped, or broadcast live. Provides that each nonelected board or commission
that has the authority to levy a tax shall video or audio record, film, or broadcast live all
proceedings in a public meeting. Provides that the parish governing authority in a parish
with a population of 25,000 or more shall broadcast live all of its proceedings in public
meetings, including the parish governing authority's committee meetings. Provides that each
school board in a parish with a population of 25,000 or more shall broadcast live all of its
proceedings in public meetings, including the school board's committee meetings. Provides
that each governing authority of a municipality with a population of 10,000 or more shall
broadcast live all city council meetings including city council committee meetings and
further provides there is no requirement to broadcast a committee meeting where members
are volunteers. Provides that the failure of a public body to broadcast live as required by
present law due to a technological failure beyond the control of the public body or beyond
its ability to resolve timely is not a violation of present law.
Present law does not apply to executive session. Provides that a public body shall establish
standards for the use of lighting, recording, or broadcasting equipment to ensure proper
decorum in a public meeting.
Proposed law retains present law and requires each public entity created by law to video
record and broadcast live all proceedings in a public meeting.
(Amends R.S. 42:23(B)(1) and (2)(b), (c), and (d))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.