Louisiana House Bill HB580

Louisiana 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/12/12
• Refer: 3/12/12
• Report Pass: 4/25/12
• Engrossed: 5/7/12
• Refer: 5/8/12
• Report Pass: 5/30/12
• Enrolled: 6/4/12
• Chaptered: 6/12/12
• Passed: 6/12/12

Caption

Provides for the posting of the notice of a meeting of a public body on the official website of the public body

Impact

The legislation's impact is primarily felt in the realm of governmental transparency and public engagement. By allowing electronic notices, HB 580 seeks to modernize the way government bodies communicate with the public. This can potentially increase participation in local government by making information more readily available. Additionally, the bill encourages public bodies without websites to collaborate with parish governing authorities to post notices online, promoting a uniform approach towards meeting transparency across the state.

Summary

House Bill 580, introduced by Representative Abramson, aims to amend Louisiana law regarding the posting of public meeting notices. The bill enables public bodies to provide notice of their meetings through electronic means if they maintain an official website. This modification is designed to enhance accessibility and ensure that community members are informed about governmental activities in a timely manner. The expectation is that by making notices available online, it will cater to a broader audience who may not have access to physical postings at designated locations.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 580 appears to be positive, particularly among advocates for government transparency and public participation. Supporters view the bill as a necessary step to bring the state's public meeting regulations into the digital age. It reflects a growing recognition of the importance of online access to information. However, there is also a concern regarding the provision that states failures to post online due to technological issues do not constitute a violation, which some critics argue might undermine the bill's purpose and allow for negligence in communication.

Contention

While the bill is largely favorable, there are notable points of contention. The potential lack of accountability regarding technological failures in posting meeting notices raises concerns among critics who argue that this could prevent the law from achieving its intended goals. Furthermore, there are discussions around whether the encouragement for public bodies to use parish websites is sufficient, as it may still leave various small entities without adequate means to comply with the new requirements. Ensuring that all citizens have equal access to information remains a central debate point.