Two bills updating the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) passed out of their respective committees before the first cutoff of the 2021 legislative session.

HB 1329 passed through the House Local Government Committee on Monday, February 15 with substantial amendments. Previously, the bill required that agencies provide remote access for the public to attend meetings, as well as record meetings and host the recordings on a city’s website for six months. Under the new bill, those actions are now encouraged.

However, the bill does add two additional requirements for cities:

1. Cities would be required to provide an opportunity for public comment at or before every regular meeting, except in emergency situations. If a city chooses to allow public comment before a regular meeting, it must accept comments in written form in addition to providing options for live participation.
2. When feasible, cities would be required to provide remote access to regular meetings that include a verbal public comment period to individuals with a disability or limited mobility that wish to provide public comment at the meeting.

With the adopted amendments, AWC is neutral on HB 1329; however, we would like to hear from cities about the potential impact of the public comment requirements. Please let us know if you have concerns.

HB 1329 now awaits floor action in the House.

HB 1056 is currently moving through the Senate and has already received a public hearing in the Senate Government & Elections Committee. The bill updates the OPMA, allowing cities to hold virtual public meetings during a declared emergency. HB 1056 now awaits action in the Senate Government & Elections Committee. AWC supports the bill.

HB 1180 did not make it past the first cutoff. The bill would have allowed cities to hold all public meetings virtually, whether in an emergency or not. Under the bill, cities would have been required to allow public testimony at every meeting. The bill cannot progress any further during the 2021 legislative session; however, it can be re-introduced during the 2022 legislative session.