HB80: (New Title) allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable.

HB 80 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

20Feb2025... 0312h

2025 SESSION

25-0103

11/02

HOUSE BILL 80

AN ACT allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable.

SPONSORS: Rep. L. Turcotte, Straf. 4; Rep. Ankarberg, Straf. 7; Rep. Burnham, Straf. 2; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Granger, Straf. 2; Rep. Bailey, Straf. 2

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill requires a public body's member to be physically present at a meeting unless physical presence is unavoidable.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

20Feb2025... 0312h 25-0103

11/02

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Attendance For Participation In Meeting. Amend RSA 91-A:2, III(a) to read as follows:

(a) A member of the public body may participate in a meeting other than by attendance in person at the location of the meeting only when such attendance is [not reasonably practical] unavoidable. Any reason that such attendance is [not reasonably practical] unavoidable shall be stated in the minutes of the meeting.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.