With the state officially reopened as of June 30, where do things stand with public meeting requirements?
The Governor has not yet rescinded all of the emergency proclamations implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proclamation 20-28.15 which requires
that all public meetings be held remotely with the option of also having in-person attendance is still in effect.
However, the Governor did update the miscellaneous venues guidance which sets rules for in-person attendance at open public meetings as
follows:
As of June 30, 2021, the following apply to governing bodies of public agencies opting to host in-person public meetings under the Open Public Meetings Act, as permitted under Emergency Proclamation 20-28, et seq.:
- No restrictions on capacity.
- No physical distancing requirements.
- Follow current applicable face covering requirements as outlined in: Proclamation 20-25, et seq., Secretary of Health Order 20-03.2, and LNI Publication F414-179.
Cities are not required to verify vaccination status for in-person meeting attendees.
MRSC published this helpful chart outlining the new requirements for public meetings:
Type of public meeting | Required | Optional |
|---|
Virtual/Remote | Yes. Subject to conditions in Proclamation 20-28.14, at p. 3, including that there be telephonic access, at minimum, and
all attendees can “hear each other at the same time.” | No. |
In-person | No. | Yes. Subject to conditions in Proclamation 20-28.14at pp. 3 and 4, including that any person who wishes to attend in person
be able to do so, either in meeting room or overflow area. No capacity limits or physical distancing requirements. Masks required for unvaccinated attendees, however no verification requirement. |
For more information on the state’s reopening, please check outa status update from MRSC.