Current law allows government agencies to hold remote meetings only during a state of emergency or public health emergency.

But now that the COVID-19 pandemic do With virtual meetings becoming essential in a post-pandemic world, lawmakers are seeking to lift these restrictions and allow agencies to hold meetings remotely whenever they want.

THE Invoiceintroduced in January, allows a “public body” to hold meetings, vote And receive public comments by electronic means. A public body, as defined by the State public meetings lawincludes a commission, an authority, a board of directors, a council, a committee Or any other voting body that exercises a public governmental function.

The measure does not apply to the judiciary, grand juries, the state parole board, State Commission of inquiry and political party meetings.

Most government agencies broadcast live their meetings in the months after the coronavirus crisis triggered closures. But many have since returned to in-person meetings. Some local council meetings do not allow people to testify remotely, and many hearings at the Statehouse do not allow virtual testimony.

CJ Griffin, a Pashman Stein attorney who was a virulent criticism of the State’s overhaul of access to public archivesdeclared that the bill is a good means of make sure people’s voices are heard.

During the pandemic, she said, people became more interested in what was happening. in progress in their city.

“A lot of it was that they could easily attend the meetings, whereas if you go in person, it’s at 5, 6, 7 p.m. when you get home from work and feed the kids – a lot of people don’t. are not. I will not be able to make it to this meeting,” she said.

Allowing more virtual meetings would also benefit people with mobility issues and ensure citizens don’t be left out the decision-making process when meeting rooms reach capacityshe added.

While the bill is a good example of lawmakers updating state laws to make them fit for the 21st century, Griffin said they should go further and require meetings to include a remote public comment period. This would ensure transparency, she added.

“It would be incredible if an agency was “Not only is it permissible for the public comment section to include remote speakers, but it is also required by law, because you know many agencies will simply choose not to use remote services at all,” she declared.

The invoice is expected has will be heard Thursday by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee. A complementary bill in the Senate has not moved since it is was introduced in January.