Les Knapp, MACo Legal and Policy Counsel, testified to the House Health and Government Operations Committee to support with amendments HB 583, Open Meetings Act- Requirements for Providing Agendas on March 11, 2015. This bill would require a public body provide an agenda to the public for the meeting in open session. The agenda must be available at least 24 hours before the meeting and contain all available information about the open session of the meeting.

The amendment suggested by MACo would allow for an exception to the 24 hour requirement as a result of an emergency or similar situation.

The written testimony states:

However, MACo is seeking one additional amendment that would cover a situation where a public body meets in response to an emergency or similar situation and is unable to comply with the bill’s 24 hour requirement. The amendment would provide that in such a situation, the public body must provide an agenda to the public within a reasonable time after the meeting takes place.

For more on MACo’s 2015 legislation, visit the Legislative Database.