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Subcommittee approves amendment sending executive-session attendance changes to full committee
Summary
The subcommittee agreed to refer a BEC policy change that allows members to attend executive sessions remotely if they confirm they are alone and (when on video) turn cameras on; members debated whether video should be mandatory and whether the change ceded the chair's authority.
The policy subcommittee voted to refer a proposed revision to BEC — governing executive-session attendance — to the full committee after members debated whether remote attendees must use video and whether the change cedes authority to the chair.
Chair read added language permitting committee members to attend executive session regardless of attendance at the preceding open meeting and requiring that remote attendees "confirm they are alone and cannot be overheard and shall turn their camera on if attending via video conference." Legal counsel noted the proposed wording would expand the existing emergency options and suggested an amendment clarifying that attendance by phone remains permissible while adding a video requirement where appropriate. Member speakers expressed concern about ceding chair authority and favored preserving discretion for the chair to permit remote attendance.
After debate, a motion to refer the amended language to the full committee passed on a roll-call vote. The committee asked counsel to draft clearer language that balances confidentiality and access for members who are remote.
