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First Substitute H.B. 54

Representative Kraig Powell proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS IN PUBLIC MEETINGS

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Kraig Powell

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies provisions of the Open and Public Meetings Act that relate to
             10      electronic communications between members of public bodies.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    provides definitions;
             14          .    allows one or more members of a public body to transmit to any number of
             15      members of the public body an electronic message, whether simultaneously or in
             16      sequence; and
             17          .    makes technical modifications.
             18      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             19          None
             20      Other Special Clauses:
             21          None
             22      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             23      AMENDS:
             24          52-4-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapters 35 and 45
             25      ENACTS:


             26          52-4-209, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             27     
             28      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             29          Section 1. Section 52-4-103 is amended to read:
             30           52-4-103. Definitions.
             31          As used in this chapter:
             32          (1) "Anchor location" means the physical location from which:
             33          (a) an electronic meeting originates; or
             34          (b) the participants are connected.
             35          (2) "Convening" means the calling of a meeting of a public body by a person
             36      authorized to do so for the express purpose of discussing or acting upon a subject over which
             37      that public body has jurisdiction or advisory power.
             38          (3) "Electronic meeting" means a public meeting convened or conducted by means of a
             39      conference using electronic communications.
             40          (4) "Electronic message" means a communication transmitted electronically, including:
             41          (a) electronic mail;
             42          (b) instant messaging;
             43          (c) electronic chat;
             44          (d) text messaging as defined in Section 76-4-401 ; or
             45          (e) any other method that conveys a message or facilitates communication
             46      electronically.
             47          [(4)] (5) (a) "Meeting" means the convening of a public body, with a quorum present,
             48      including a workshop or an executive session whether the meeting is held in person or by
             49      means of electronic communications, for the purpose of discussing, receiving comments from
             50      the public about, or acting upon a matter over which the public body has jurisdiction or
             51      advisory power.
             52          (b) "Meeting" does not mean:
             53          (i) a chance meeting;
             54          (ii) a social meeting; or
             55          (iii) the convening of a public body that has both legislative and executive
             56      responsibilities where no public funds are appropriated for expenditure during the time the


             57      public body is convened and:
             58          (A) the public body is convened solely for the discussion or implementation of
             59      administrative or operational matters for which no formal action by the public body is required;
             60      or
             61          (B) the public body is convened solely for the discussion or implementation of
             62      administrative or operational matters that would not come before the public body for
             63      discussion or action.
             64          [(5)] (6) "Monitor" means to hear or observe, live, by audio or video equipment, all of
             65      the public statements of each member of the public body who is participating in a meeting.
             66          [(6)] (7) "Participate" means the ability to communicate with all of the members of a
             67      public body, either verbally or electronically, so that each member of the public body can hear
             68      or observe the communication.
             69          [(7)] (8) (a) "Public body" means any administrative, advisory, executive, or legislative
             70      body of the state or its political subdivisions that:
             71          (i) is created by the Utah Constitution, statute, rule, ordinance, or resolution;
             72          (ii) consists of two or more persons;
             73          (iii) expends, disburses, or is supported in whole or in part by tax revenue; and
             74          (iv) is vested with the authority to make decisions regarding the public's business.
             75          (b) "Public body" does not include a:
             76          (i) political party, political group, or political caucus; or
             77          (ii) conference committee, rules committee, or sifting committee of the Legislature.
             78          [(8)] (9) "Public statement" means a statement made in the ordinary course of business
             79      of the public body with the intent that all other members of the public body receive it.
             80          [(9)] (10) (a) "Quorum" means a simple majority of the membership of a public body,
             81      unless otherwise defined by applicable law.
             82          (b) "Quorum" does not include a meeting of two elected officials by themselves when
             83      no action, either formal or informal, is taken on a subject over which these elected officials
             84      have advisory power.
             85          [(10)] (11) "Recording" means an audio, or an audio and video, record of the
             86      proceedings of a meeting that can be used to review the proceedings of the meeting.
             87          (12) "Transmit" means to send, convey, or communicate an electronic message by


             88      electronic means.
             89          Section 2. Section 52-4-209 is enacted to read:
             90          52-4-209. Electronic message transmissions.
             91          Nothing in this chapter prohibits one or more members of a public body from
             92      transmitting to any number of members of the public body an electronic message, whether
             93      simultaneously or in sequence.


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