HB 6906 — AN ACT CONCERNING MEMBER PARTICIPATION DURING REMOTE AND HYBRID MUNICIPAL PUBLIC AGENCY MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

House of Representatives General Assembly FileRaised Bill No.

6266906 January Session, 2023 HouseLCO Bill No.

69065976 HouseReferred ofto Representatives, April 17, 2023 The Committee on GovernmentGOVERNMENT AdministrationADMINISTRATION andAND ElectionsELECTIONS reportedIntroduced throughby: REP.

BLUMENTHAL(GAE) ofAN theACT 147thCONCERNING Dist.,MEMBER ChairpersonPARTICIPATION ofDURING theREMOTE CommitteeAND onHYBRID theMUNICIPAL partPUBLIC ofAGENCY theMEETINGS House,UNDER thatTHE theFREEDOM billOF oughtINFORMATION toACT. pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING MEMBER PARTICIPATION DURING REMOTE AND HYBRID MUNICIPAL PUBLIC AGENCY MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

and (6) zoning board of HB6906appeals. / File No.

626LCO 15976 HB6906\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06906-R021 Fileof 5 HB.docx Bill No.

6266906 appeals.(b) On and after July 1, 2021, a public agency may hold a public meeting thatisaccessibletothepublicby meansofelectronicequipment or by means of electronic equipment in conjunction with an in-person meeting, in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) On and after July 1, 2021, a public agency may hold a public meeting thatisaccessibletothepublicby meansofelectronicequipment or by means of electronic equipment in conjunction with an in-person meeting, in accordance with the provisions of this section.

[(b)] (c) Any public agency that conducts a meeting, other than an executive session or special meeting, as described in this section, solely by means of electronic equipment, shall (1) provide any member of the public (A) upon a written request submitted not less than twenty-four hours prior to such meeting, with a physical location and any electronic equipment necessary to attend such meeting in real-time, and (B) the same opportunities to provide comment or testimony and otherwise participate in such meeting that such member of the public would be HB6906accorded /if Filesuch meeting were held in person, except that a public LCO 5976 {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-069062 of 5 R02-HB.docx } Bill No.

6266906 2agency HB6906is Filenot No.required to adjourn or postpone a meeting if a member of the public loses the ability to participate because of an interruption, failure or degradation of such person's connection to the meeting by electronic equipment;

626 accorded if such meeting were held in person, except that a public agency is not required to adjourn or postpone a meeting if a member of the public loses the ability to participate because of an interruption, failure or degradation of such person's connection to the meeting by electronic equipment;

The minutes of the meeting shall record a HB6906LCO /5976 File{\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06906-3 of 5 R02-HB.docx } Bill No.

6266906 3list HB6906of Filemembers No.that attended such meeting in person and a list of members that attended such meeting by means of electronic equipment.

626 list of members that attended such meeting in person and a list of members that attended such meeting by means of electronic equipment.

[(g)] (h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a public agency to offer members of the public who attend a meeting by means HB6906LCO /5976 File{\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06906-4 of 5 R02-HB.docx } Bill No.

6266906 4of HB6906electronic Fileequipment No.the opportunity for public comment, testimony or other participation if the provision of such opportunity is not required by law for members of the public who attend such a meeting in person.

626 of electronic equipment the opportunity for public comment, testimony or other participation if the provision of such opportunity is not required by law for members of the public who attend such a meeting in person.

Section 1 October 1, 2023 1-225a GAE Joint Favorable HB6906PD /Joint FileFavorable No.LCO 5976 {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06906- 5 of 5 R02-HB.docx }

626 5 HB6906 File No.

626 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill requires any member participating in a municipal public agency meeting through electronic means to be visible when speaking during a debate or casting a vote.

This does not result in a fiscal impact to municipalities as it only changes requirements for the participating members.

The Out Years There is no fiscal impact in the out years.

HB6906 / File No.

626 6 HB6906 File No.

626 OLR Bill Analysis HB 6906 AN ACT CONCERNING MEMBER PARTICIPATION DURING REMOTE AND HYBRID MUNICIPAL PUBLIC AGENCY MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

SUMMARY This bill requires that any member of a municipal public agency participating in a public meeting through electronic means be visible when speaking during a debate or casting a vote.

The bill applies to members of the following bodies:

1.

municipal boards of selectmen, city councils, boards of representatives, or equivalent legislative bodies except for town meetings;

2.

local or regional boards of education;

3.

boards of finance or equivalent boards with budget-making authority;

4.