HB 908 Virginia House of Delegates · 2018 Regular Session

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; meetings held by electronic communication means.

Summary
Removes the Freedom of Information Act requirement that the remote locations from which members of a public body participate in meetings through electronic communication means be open to the public. Instead, members of the public must be provided an electronic communication means substantially equivalent to that provided to members of the public body through which the public may witness the meeting. The bill provides that public access to remote locations from which members of the public body participate through electronic communication means shall be encouraged but not required; however, if three or more members are gathered at the same remote location, such remote location must be open to the public. The bill also amends the annual reporting requirements for public bodies that meet by electronic communication means. This bill is a recommendation of the Freedom of Information Advisory Council.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2018
Committee Review
Feb 2018
House of Delegates Passage
Jan 2018
Senate Passage
Jan 2018
Signed into Law
Feb 2018
Introduced Jan 9, 2018 Signed Feb 28, 2018
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Feb 28, 2018
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 56 (effective 7/1/18)
executive
Feb 1, 2018
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
legislature
Jan 31, 2018
Legislature · Passed
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N)
legislature
Jan 19, 2018
Committee
Assigned GL sub: Subcommittee #4
legislature
Jan 9, 2018
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws
legislature
Jan 9, 2018
Introduced
Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18100760D
legislature
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors