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Committee advances 'People's Access Act' requiring public bodies to livestream meetings with phased rollout and tech exception
Summary
The Senate Local and Private Committee reported out the "People's Access Act," which would require state public bodies to livestream meetings and create a central listing (moved to DFA). The committee adopted phased implementation dates and a limited exception for technology failures.
Senator Boyd introduced the "People's Access Act," saying the bill would require public bodies to livestream open meetings and create a central listing so residents can watch meetings live online. "If you wanna see what that commission's doing, you'll be able to look at it live, online, and livestream," he said.
The bill's sponsor framed the measure as a post‑COVID transparency step: it would cover state agencies and general board sessions but, the sponsor said, not routine subcommittee meetings. Committee members supported the transparency goal but raised concerns about the burden on small municipalities and how the central listing should be maintained.
A committee member proposed, and members approved, amending the bill to place the central roster of streaming links with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) rather than the Secretary of State. Lawmakers then debated thresholds and a phased rollout to give smaller towns more time to comply; the committee adopted an amendment setting staggered implementation dates for cities, towns and other municipal bodies.
Members also sought language to address streaming failures. The committee agreed to add an exception for technological problems so that an inability to stream would not automatically void official actions; the minutes must record attempts and, when streaming cannot occur, an uploaded recording should be provided at the earliest opportunity.
Senator Hickman asked whether the bill would subject the legislature or judiciary to the Open Meetings Act. The sponsor and other members clarified that the legislature and judiciary are exempt under the bill as drafted.
After adopting the amendments, the committee voted "title sufficient, do pass as amended" and reported the bill to the next stage.
What happens next: The bill will move to the floor as amended; the committee signaled it expects to refine technical language and thresholds before that vote.
