Bill Allows for Virtual Participation in Public Meetings

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to allow for public bodies to meet virtually has been filed for the 58th Legislative Session.

House Bill 1758, authored by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, permits public bodies to host meetings or allow members to attend virtually if the posted agenda announces the body’s intention to do so.

“It is the 21st Century,” Ranson said. “We have the capability to not only let the public view but also participate virtually, and we should use it.”

Ranson credits the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as inspiration for the bill.

“We got into a situation where it wasn’t safe for our public bodies to meet,” Ranson said. “The Legislature, failing to act, just compounded the problem. Putting this into place now would prevent us from being in this situation in the future, which will protect local governments’ ability to act and respond to their citizen’s needs in time of emergency.”

If you support protecting this protection for local governments, contact your area legislator in support of HB1758.

Ranson’s office can be reached at (405)557-7411 or [email protected].