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Panel advances bill letting staff serve as in-person anchor for public-body virtual meetings
Summary
The committee released HB 3339, which would allow a staff member rather than an elected or appointed member to satisfy the statutory "anchor location" requirement for virtual public meetings; supporters said the change would reduce canceled meetings and scheduling burdens on volunteer commissioners.
The House Administration Committee voted to release House Bill 3339, a measure from Representative Romer that would permit a staff member of a public body to serve as the required in-person anchor at a designated public location for virtual meetings instead of requiring an elected or appointed member.
Representative Romer said the change responds to repeated canceled meetings when a member who would serve as the anchor could not attend, particularly among volunteer officials with professional responsibilities. "This change would make it easier and more convenient for them to attend," Romer said, noting the board would still have the option of meeting in person.
Supporters included Cora Castle, chair of the Delaware LGBTQ+ Commission, who called HB 3339 a "common-sense administrative reform" that preserves public access while reducing scheduling barriers. Shauna Slaughter, director in the Division of Professional Regulation, said the flexibility prevented delays in licensing decisions caused when meetings were canceled for lack of an in-person member, and Tyler Michic of the Department of State echoed the department’s full support.
Joseph Dawson, chair of the Delaware Human and Civil Rights Commission, told the committee staff typically set up virtual meetings from a state building and attend from start to finish, making staff-based anchoring a practical solution.
After public comment the committee moved and voted to release HB 3339; the clerk announced the required number of votes had been received and the bill was reported out from committee.
What happens next: HB 3339 will be posted as reported out and move through the regular legislative calendar for further consideration.
