HLS 10RS-1508 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 935
BY REPRESENTATIVES TALBOT, BILLIOT, AND LABRUZZO AND SENATORS
APPEL, MARTINY, MORRELL, AND QUINN
PUBLIC MEETINGS: Provides for notice of public meetings
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 42:7(A)(2), relative to notice of public meetings; to provide for2
other methods for providing notice for public meetings, including electronic means;3
and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 42:7(A)(2) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 6
ยง7. Notice of meetings7
A.8
* * *9
(2) Written public notice given by all public bodies, except the legislature10
and its committees and subcommittees, shall include, but need not be limited to:11
(a) Posting a copy of the notice at the principal office of the public body12
holding the meeting, or if no such office exists, at the building in which the meeting13
is to be held; or by publication of the notice in an official journal of the public body14
no less than twenty-four hours before the meeting; or by providing the notice via the15
Internet on the official website of the public body no less than twenty-four hours16
before the meeting.17
(b) Mailing Providing a copy of the notice by mail or electronic mail to any18
member of the news media who requests notice of such meetings; any such member19 HLS 10RS-1508 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 935
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of the news media shall be given notice of all meetings in the same manner as is1
given to members of the public body.2
* * *3
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not4
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature5
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If6
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become7
effective on the day following such approval.8
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Talbot HB No. 935
Abstract: Allows a public body to give notice of a meeting via its official website in lieu
of posting a notice at its principal office or where the meeting is held, or publication
in the official journal. Further allows the provision of notice by the public body to
the news media by electronic mail.
Present law requires all public bodies, except the legislature and its committees and
subcommittees, to give written public notice of their regular meetings, if established by law,
resolution, or ordinance, at the beginning of each calendar year and that such notice include
meeting dates, times, and places. Further requires all such public bodies to give written
public notice of any regular, special, or rescheduled meeting at least 24 hours prior and that
such notice include the meeting's agenda, date, time, and place. Provides that the notice
include posting a copy of the notice at the public body's principal office, or if no such office
exists, at the building in which the meeting is to be held; or publication in the public body's
official journal no less than 24 hours before the meeting; and mailing a copy of the notice
to any member of the news media who requests notice (specifies that the news media shall
be given notice in the same manner as the members of the public body).
Proposed law provides that in lieu of posting a copy of the notice at the principal office of
the public body holding the meeting, or if no such office exists, at the building in which the
meeting is to be held; or by publication of the notice in an official journal of the public body
no less than 24 hours before the meeting, a public body may provide notice of the meeting
via the Internet on the public body's official website no less than 24 hours before the
meeting. Further provides that the notice provided to the news media may either be by mail
or electronic mail and otherwise retains present law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 42:7(A)(2))