Committee advances bill to let county, regional library boards meet remotely; amendment adds community service boards

Julie Walker, identified in the transcript as "the Georgia librarian," testified to a House committee that House Bill 516 (LC 473413) would allow county and regional library boards to conduct meetings through teleconferencing.

"This bill allows county and regional library boards to conduct meetings through teleconferencing," Walker said, describing recruitment and quorum challenges that trustees face because of long travel distances, work obligations and family demands. She told the committee there are 60 county and regional library systems in Georgia that support the change.

Committee members asked whether libraries had been omitted from COVID-era remote-meeting allowances and how often boards meet. An agency official explained that remote meetings had been permitted under the emergency order during COVID, but once the emergency ended state law reverted; the bill would add libraries to the entities eligible to meet remotely. One lawmaker asked about minimum meeting frequency; the witness said boards must meet at least quarterly, with many meeting monthly or bimonthly.

During the debate a member proposed an amendment to add "community service boards created pursuant to article 1 of chapter 2 of title 37." The amendment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the committee then voted to report the bill as amended.

The committee approved the bill as amended and adjourned; the bill will move forward in the legislative process.