Open Meetings Laws 2d

The first edition is a most impressive work. I’m glad to have it in my personal library.

John J. Watkins, Professor of Law, Robert A. Leflar Law Center, University of Arkansas,
Author of The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (2d ed. 1992) and
Open Meetings Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, 38 Ark.L.Rev. 268 (1984)

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When in doubt, the members of any board, agency, authority or commission should follow the open-meeting policy of the State.

S.C.Op.Atty.Gen. 83-55 (Aug. 8, 1983).

§ 4.30 3. Local Commissions

Many states impose their open meeting laws on all local commissions.1 Among the specific types of commissions subjected to open meeting requirements are local planning and building commissions,2 county tax commissions,3 annexation study commissions,4 county convention and visitor commissions,5 hospital and safety commissions,6 county election commissions,7 and local civil service commissions.8

1. Ala.Code § 13A-14-2 (1994) (county or city commissions); Alas.Stat. § 44.62.310(a), (h)(1) (1998); Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 38-431(4) (1996); Ark.Code Ann. § 25-19-103(2) (Michie 1996); Cal.Ann.Gov't Code § 54951 (West 1997); Colo.Rev.Stat. § 24-6-402(1)(c) (1998); Conn.Gen.Stat.Ann. § 1-200(1) (West 1999 Cum.PP); Del.Code Ann. tit. 29, § 10002(a) (1997); Ga.Code Ann. § 50-14-1(a)(1)(C) (1998); Ill.Comp.Stat.Ann. ch. 5, § 120/1.02 (Smith-Hurd 1998 Cum.PP); IowaCode Ann. § 21.2(1) (1995); Kan.Stat.Ann. § 75-4318(a) (1997); La.Rev.Stat.Ann. tit. 42, § 4.2(A)(2) (West 1990); Me.Rev.Stat.Ann. tit. 1, § 402(2)(C) (West 1998 Cum.PP); Mass.Gen.Laws Ann. ch. 34, § 9F (West 1985); Mass.Gen.Laws Ann. ch. 39, § 23A (West 1999 Cum.PP); Mich.Comp.Laws Ann. § 15.262(a) (West 1994); Minn.Stat.Ann. § 471.705.1 (West 1999 Cum.PP); Mo.Ann.Stat. § 610.010(4) (Vernon 1999 Supp.Pamph.); Mont.Code Ann. § 2-3-203(1) (1997); Nev.Rev.Stat. § 241.015(3) (1997); N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 91-A:1-aIV (1998 Cum.Supp.); N.M.Stat.Ann. § 10-15-1(B) (Michie 1998 Supp.); N.C.Gen.Stat. § 143-318.10(b) (1997 Cum.Supp.); N.D.Cent.Code § 44-04-17.1(12) (1997 Supp.); OhioRev.Code Ann. § 121.22(B)(1)(a) (Anderson 1998 Supp.); Ore.Rev.Stat. § 192.610(4) (1995); Pa.Stat.Ann. tit. 65, § 273 (1998 Cum.PP); R.I.Gen.Laws § 42-46-2(c) (1998 Supp.); S.D.Codified Laws Ann. § 1-25-1 (1998 Pocket Supp.); Va.Code Ann. § 2.1-341 (Michie 1998 Cum.Supp.); Wash.Rev.Code Ann. § 42.30.020(1) (West 1991); W.Va.Code Ann. § 6-9A-2(6) (1998 Supp.); Wyo.Stat. § 16-4-402(a)(ii) (1997).

2. 63 Cal.Op.Atty.Gen. 80-713 at 820 (Oct. 30, 1980) (local planning commissions); Ky.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 61.810(1)(j) (1997 Cum.Serv.); Ky.Op.Atty.Gen. 84-162 (Apr. 25, 1984); Mayor & Aldermen v. Vicksburg Printing & Publishing Co., 434 So.2d 1333, 1337 (Miss. 1983) (city planning commission); Miss.Op.Atty.Gen. 405 (Aug. 7, 1981); Florence Morning News, Inc. v. Building Committee, 265 S.C. 389, 218 S.E.2d 881, 884 (1975); Tenn.Op.Atty.Gen. 80-476 (Oct. 2, 1980) (planning and zoning commission); Va.Op.Atty.Gen. (Sept. 3, 1982); see Md.Op.Atty.Gen. (Nov. 30, 1981) (Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission). But see Haw.Rev.Stat. § 92-6(a)(2) (1993) (law shall apply to require open deliberation of adjudicatory functions of land use commission).

3. Ala.Code § 13A-14-2 (1994).

4. McLachlan v. McNary, 684 S.W.2d 534 (Mo.App. 1984); State v. Swanson, 92 Wis.2d 310, 284 N.W.2d 655 (1979).

5. Ind.Op.Atty.Gen. 80-36 (Nov. 24, 1980); Miss.Op.Atty.Gen. 205 (May 3, 1990) (Lauderdale County Tourism Commission).

6. Cal.Ann.Health & Safety Code § 1456(f) (West 1990).

7. Tenn.Code Ann. § 2-1-113 (1994).

8. IowaOp.Atty.Gen. 79-7-12 (July 6, 1979); Miss.Op.Atty.Gen. 896 (Nov. 20, 1991); Tenn.Op.Atty.Gen. 81-513 (Sept. 18, 1981).

Open Meeting Laws 2d, § 4.30 3

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