Human Relations Commission adopts bylaw change to quorum rule, removes fixed mailing address

The Metro Human Relations Commission on Thursday approved two bylaw changes making its quorum calculation a simple majority and removing a fixed street address from the bylaws so the address can be updated on its website without a formal bylaw change.

The commission’s change to quorum replaces the earlier “50% plus 1” rule with a simple majority. The change was presented to the commission as already effective in May and was described as aligning the bylaws with state or city ordinance language. “We no longer have to do the 50% plus 1. It can just be a simple majority,” a staff presenter told the commission during the discussion.

Commissioners also approved removing a specific physical address from the bylaws. Staff explained that a mailing address does not belong in a document that requires notice and a two-thirds vote to amend; removing it allows the commission to update contact information on its website quickly when needed.

The nominations chair moved the proposed bylaw changes and the motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Commissioners discussed the change as a clerical and procedural alignment intended to reduce administrative burden and to make routine updates easier.

The commission did not refer either bylaw change to another body; the amendments were presented as measures to reflect existing ordinance language and to avoid unnecessary formal revisions for clerical items. Commission staff said they will renumber bylaw sections as needed following the removal of the address.

The change takes effect immediately for commission procedure; no further implementation steps were listed other than administrative updates to the commission’s published bylaws and website.

For more information or to see the amended bylaws, the commission advised checking its website or contacting staff.