HF3295

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to update Minnesota's Open Meeting Law to allow public bodies the option to broadcast meetings using social media, enhancing accessibility and participation from the general public.

Main Provisions

• Social Media Broadcasting: Public bodies can now live broadcast meetings via social media platforms. However, they are not required to have a comment feature enabled for such broadcasts.

• Public Comments: If a social media platform permits comments during broadcasts, these comments will not be automatically considered government records unless specified as part of the notice given under section 13D.04.

• Rules for Public Testimony: Public bodies that decide to treat social media comments as public testimony during broadcasts must define rules on how these comments will be handled and discussed.

• Notification Requirements: Public bodies must include information about social media broadcasting and comment submission processes in their public meeting notices.

Significant Changes

• This bill amends section 13D.065 by explicitly allowing the use of social media for broadcasting purposes, establishing a structured approach regarding how comments during broadcasts are managed. It mandates that any system for public interaction, if used, needs to be disclosed in the meeting notices in advance.

• The use of social media must meet the technological requirements set out for interactive technology in order to be implemented effectively.

Relevant Terms

social media, open meeting, public body, broadcasting, public comments, government records, public testimony, meeting notice, interactive technology.