Summary: HB 78 establishes clearer and more consistent standards for documenting and sharing public meetings, particularly within the executive branch and education system. It mandates digital recordings of most meetings, timely posting of minutes, and improved accessibility measures, reinforcing transparency and accountability across public bodies.
Analysis: At its core, HB 78 updates and clarifies the requirements for how public bodies—especially those within the executive branch and the state’s education system—record, document, and share their meetings with the public.
One of the most important changes is the mandate for digital recordings of nearly all public meetings. These recordings must be posted online within seven business days and remain available for at least one year. This requirement extends not only to general public bodies but also to the State Board of Education, school district boards, charter school boards, and higher education trustees. While executive sessions remain protected from disclosure, and technological failures do not invalidate meetings, the bill emphasizes that transparency must be the standard.
The legislation also introduces specific expectations for draft and final meeting minutes—drafts must be posted within 20 business days in some cases, and final versions must be posted within five. For individuals with hearing impairments, the bill ensures accommodations by requiring written transcripts of digitally recorded meetings upon request within seven business days.
Importantly, the bill clarifies how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies to school boards and charter boards, affirming that they are public bodies subject to FOIA unless another statute specifically overrides it.
Overall, the bill creates more consistent standards for how public meetings are recorded, shared, and preserved. This will help to make such meetings more accessible and understandable to the people they serve.