Bill would expand video and telephone conference public meetings

Senators gave first-round approval Feb. 21 to a bill that would add a community college board to the list of public entities that can hold public meetings by video and telephone conferencing.

Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher, sponsor of LB735, said technology could enhance public access to entities that serve large geographic areas of the state. Schumacher said the bill was inspired by the experience of a community college board member who had difficulty attending a meeting in another city.

“A flick of a switch would have allowed her to attend the meeting,” he said. “[This bill] is a common sense response to real situations.”

A Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment, adopted 31-0, would add public power and public power irrigation districts to the list of entities allowed to hold public meetings by video and telephone conference.

Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery said the two entities also cover large geographic areas and would benefit from the ability to conduct some of their business via video or telephone conference.

Malcolm Sen. Ken Haar supported the bill and the amendment, saying the state must address the challenge of finding practical ways for citizens to participate in the political process.

Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth offered and later withdrew an amendment that would have prohibited placement of budget items on the agenda of a video or telephone conference meeting. He said lawmakers should be mindful of the potential for abuse of meetings not conducted in person.

Schumacher said additional rules apply to video and telephone conferencing meetings in order to safeguard the public interest and that abuses have not been a concern.

LB735 advanced to select file on a 34-0 vote.