SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5514
As of January 10, 2022
Title: An act relating to increasing the frequency of county legislative meetings at alternate locations.
Brief Description: Increasing the frequency of county legislative meetings at alternate locations.
Sponsors: Senator Dozier.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Housing & Local Government: 1/11/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Authorizes county legislative bodies to hold regular meetings outside of the county seat up to once per calendar month.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Staff: Maggie Douglas (786-7279)
Background:

County legislative authorities are responsible for directing the short and long-range policy goals and outcomes for the county government and its constituents.
 
County legislative authorities are required to hold all regular meetings at the county seat.  A regular meeting is defined as a meeting that is held in accordance to a schedule adopted by ordinance, resolution, order, or rule by the county legislative authority.  The legislative authority may, no more than once per calendar quarter, hold a regular meeting at a location outside of the county seat, but within the county if the county legislative authority determines that holding a meeting at an alternate location would be in the interests of supporting greater citizen engagement in local government.
Summary of Bill:

The county legislative authority may increase the frequency of holding regular meetings outside the county seat to no more than once per calendar month.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.