Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes members of public bodies to use electronic agendas at meetings.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act authorizing members of public bodies to use electronic agendas at meetings and amending P.L.2002, c.91.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2002, c.91 (C.10:4-9.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. In addition to the notice requirements of the ["Open] "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), a public body may provide electronic notice of any meeting of the public body through the Internet.
b. The members of a public body may use an electronic agenda in lieu of a printed agenda at any meeting of the public body.
c. As used in this section [, "electronic] :
“Electronic agenda” means an agenda, including any attachments thereto, which is in an electronic format and which is viewable on an electronic device, for any meeting.
"Electronic notice" means advance notice available to the public via electronic transmission of at least 48 hours, giving the time, date, location , and, to the extent known, the agenda of any regular, special , or rescheduled meeting, which notice shall accurately state whether formal action may or may not be taken at such meeting.
[As used in this section,] "Internet" means the international computer network of both federal and non-federal interoperable packet switched data networks.
(cf: P.L.2002, c.91, s.1)
2. Section 2 of P.L.2002, c.91 (C.10:4-9.2) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. Nothing in [this act] P.L.2002, c.91 shall be construed as affecting or superseding the adequate notice requirements that are imposed by the ["Open] "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.) and no electronic notice issued pursuant to [this act] P.L.2002, c.91 shall be deemed to substitute for, or be considered in lieu of, such adequate notice.
b. Nothing in P.L.2002, c.91 shall be construed as affecting or superseding any requirements that are imposed by P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) regarding access to government records.
(cf: P.L.2002, c.91, s.2)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would permit members of public bodies to use electronic agendas, including any attachments, in lieu of printed agendas at public meetings. The use of electronic agendas at public meetings would save the printing costs and eliminate the waste generated by the use of printed agendas.
This bill would not affect the ability of a member of the public to seek a printed copy of a public meeting agenda pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly known as the “Open Public Records Act.”