HLS 12RS-2290 ENGROSSED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 1143
BY REPRESENTATIVE NANCY LANDRY (BY REQUEST)
PUBLIC MEETINGS: Provides relative to meeting agendas
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 42:19(A)(1)(b)(ii), relative to meetings of public bodies; to2
provide relative to notice of such meetings; to provide relative to meeting agendas;3
to provide relative to the duties of the presiding officer of a public body relative to4
agenda items; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 42:19(A)(1)(b)(ii) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as7
follows: 8
ยง19. Notice of meetings9
A.(1)10
* * *11
(b)12
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(ii)(aa) Such notice shall include the agenda, date, time, and place of the14
meeting, provided that upon. The agenda shall not be changed less than twenty-four15
hours prior to the meeting.16
(bb) Each item on the agenda shall be listed separately and described with17
reasonable specificity. Before the public body may take any action on an item, the18
presiding officer shall read aloud the description of the item.19 HLS 12RS-2290 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 1143
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(cc) Upon unanimous approval of the members present at a meeting of a1
public body, the public body may take up a matter not on the agenda. Any such2
matter shall be identified in the motion to take up the matter not on the agenda with3
reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the addition to the agenda, and4
entered into the minutes of the meeting. Prior to any vote on the motion to take up5
a matter not on the agenda by the public body, there shall be an opportunity for6
public comment on any such motion in accordance with R.S. 42:14 or 15. The7
public body shall not use its authority to take up a matter not on the agenda as a8
subterfuge to defeat the purposes of this Chapter.9
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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)]
Nancy Landry HB No. 1143
Abstract: Expressly provides that a meeting agenda cannot be changed less than 24 hours
prior to the meeting; requires each item on the agenda to be listed separately and
described with reasonable specificity; and provides that before the public body may
take any action on an item, the presiding officer shall read aloud the description of
the item.
Present law (R.S. 42:19) provides relative to notice of meetings of public bodies other than
legislative bodies. Provides procedures and requirements for giving such notice. Requires
written public notice of a meeting no later than 24 hours before the meeting. Requires such
notice to include the agenda of the meeting. Provides that upon unanimous approval of the
members present at a meeting of a public body, the public body may take up a matter not on
the agenda. Requires any such matter to be identified in the motion to take up the matter not
on the agenda with reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the addition to the
agenda, and entered into the minutes of the meeting. Provides that prior to any vote by the
public body on the motion to take up a matter not on the agenda, there shall be an
opportunity for public comment on any such motion. Prohibits the public body from using
its authority to take up a matter not on the agenda as a subterfuge to defeat the purposes of
provisions of present law relative to open meetings.
Proposed law specifies that the agenda shall not be changed less than 24 hours prior to the
meeting. Requires each item on the agenda to be listed separately and described with
reasonable specificity. Provides that before the public body may take any action on an item,
the presiding officer shall read aloud the description of the item. Otherwise retains present
law.
(Amends R.S. 42:19(A)(1)(b)(ii))