Section 1. R.S. 42:19(A)(2)(a) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
§19. Notice of meetings
A. (2) Written public notice given by all public bodies, except the legislature and its committees and subcommittees, shall include, but need not be limited to:
(a) Posting a copy of the notice at the principal office of the public body holding the meeting, or if no such office exists, at the building in which the meeting is to be held; or by publication of the notice in an official journal of the public body no less than twenty-four hours before the meeting. If the public body has a website, additionally by providing notice via the Internet on the website of the public body for no less than twenty-four hours immediately preceding the meeting. The failure to timely post notice via the Internet pursuant to this Subparagraph or the inability of the public to access the public body’s website due to any type of technological failure shall not be a violation of the provisions of this Chapter.
Changes to existing law is the part in bold italics. Additionally, the law has this provision for public bodies that do not have websites.
Section 2.(A) The Legislature of Louisiana does hereby encourage each governing body of a political subdivision of the state subject to the provisions of R.S. 42:19(A)(2) that does not have a website to contact the parish governing authority of the parish in which the public body is located about the feasibility of providing notices of its meetings on the website of the parish governing authority. If the parish governing authority authorizes the public body to place the notices of its meetings on the website of the parish governing authority, the public body shall publish a notice in the official journal of the public body about the availability of its notices on the website of the parish governing authority and shall include the Internet address of the website in such notice.
(B) The Legislature of Louisiana does hereby encourage each public body in the executive branch of state government subject to the provisions of R.S. 42:19(A)(2) that does not have a website to contact the division of administration about the feasibility of providing notices of its meetings on the website of the division of administration. If the division of administration authorizes the public body to place notices of its meetings on the website of the division, the public body shall publish a notice in the official journal of the public body about the availability of its notices on the website of the division of administration and shall include the Internet address of the website in such notice.
08/09/2012 at 7:02 am |
What are the penalities if they don’t ? Laws are for private citizens not for public entities.
08/09/2012 at 9:03 am |
nothing…it’s a fig leaf start…”The failure to timely post notice via the Internet pursuant to this Subparagraph or the inability of the public to access the public body’s website due to any type of technological failure shall not be a violation of the provisions of this Chapter.”
08/09/2012 at 9:14 am |
Exactly. To post in the local newspaper, one would have to get it there at least a week in advance and if no website, only option is on the door. That would require watching the door on a daily basis, because they hope no one would see it in time! They tend to call special meetings no earlier than 24 hours in advance.
08/09/2012 at 9:19 am |
Well its not even saying that they “shall” get a site and post. Its saying that the leg. “Encourages” them to do it. But if they dont no biggie. What, is this so the leg. Can keep tabs on unnecessary meeting held by the fabulous four?
08/10/2012 at 2:24 pm |
I’m all for public business being conducted in the open but am uncertain if this law is a step in that direction. Let’s consider the impact on the many small, underfunded boards this law affects.
First off, few if any members of the public attend public meetings. Secondly, most small boards are composed of unpaid members who are spending their time, energy, and money as a public service. Lastly, small boards do not have the personal expertise to file online reports, nor do the boards have money they can divert from their stated purpose to spend on specialists capable of posting online.
Until all off this is worked out, I suggest that if you are interested in what our governing bodies are doing you GO TO THE PUBLIC MEETINGS to see and hear what is going on.
08/11/2012 at 7:42 am |
sure a lot of anonymous commenters. afraid to put your name to anything? repercussions maybe? anonymous say GO TO THE PUBLIC MEETINGS! the intent of the law is to notify the public of the meetings in time to make plans to attend. also news outlets such as LPNOL, RUSTON DAILY AND MORNING PAPER needs the notification in a timely manner. they are the watchdogs for the private citizens who cannot or will not attend these meetings for what ever reasons. some meetings are hard on the heart and blood pressure so we look for the news media for information.