Commission adopts updated electronic meetings policy to reflect HB 444

The Commission on Local Government adopted revisions to its electronic meetings policy Sept. 9 to align the body’s procedures with HB 444 (2022), which expands options for virtual attendance and allows for all-virtual public meetings.

LeGrand Northcutt, senior policy analyst at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, presented the proposed changes and told the Commission the revisions were written to "incorporate the provisions of HB 444 (2022)." Chair Diane M. Linderman suggested language to give the chair authority to deny a request for virtual attendance if doing so would leave fewer than a quorum present in person. Commissioners discussed what details must be recorded in the minutes when a member attends virtually and whether there should be a formal process to vote against a member’s virtual attendance; Commissioners Stephanie Davis and Rosemary M. Mahan proposed formatting and clarity edits.

Commissioner Edwin S. Rosado moved to adopt the Electronic Meetings Policy subject to the changes discussed and final approval by the chair; Commissioner Stephanie Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by roll call.

Pursuant to the policy as adopted in the meeting, Chair Linderman waived the requirement that a commissioner notify the chair 10 days before requesting virtual attendance and asked that Commissioner Ceasor T. Johnson be allowed to join the meeting virtually; there was no objection. Northcutt recorded that Commissioner Johnson’s principal place of residence is more than 60 miles from the meeting location and that Johnson attended the remainder of the meeting virtually from his home in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The policy was approved by the Commission on the record subject to the edits discussed and pending the chair’s final sign-off; the chair’s final text will determine the policy’s exact, enforceable language and any effective date.