SB1001: Freedom of Information Act; electronic communication meetings, report.

Chief Patron

Sen. Edd Houck (D-17)

Edd Houck (D-17)
Served: 1984–

Progress

	Introduced
	Passed Committee
	Passed House
	Passed Senate
	Signed by Governor
	Became Law

Status

04/10/2007: signed by governor

View Entire History

Summary

Freedom of Information Act; electronic communication meetings.  Reduces the notice requirement for electronic communication meetings from seven to three working days and clarifies that political subdivisions, other than units of local government, may conduct electronic communication meetings. The bill also allows an individual member of a public body to participate in a meeting through electronic communication means from a remote location that is not open to the public in the event of an emergency, temporary or permanent disability or other medical condition, or when a member of a regional public body's principal residence is more than 60 miles from the primary meeting location. For a member to participate in the above described manner, the bill requires that a quorum of the public body be physically assembled at the primary or central meeting location and that the public body make arrangements for the voice of the remote participant to be heard by all persons at the primary or central meeting location. The bill defines "regional public body." The bill also contains technical amendments and is a recommendation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council.