§403-A. Public proceedings through remote access during declaration of state of emergency due to COVID-19
(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)
(WHOLE SECTION TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL CONTINGENCY: See T. 1, §403-A, sub-§3)
(WHOLE SECTION TEXT REPEALED ON CONTINGENCY: See T. 1, §403-A, sub-§3)
1. Remote access. Notwithstanding any provision of law or municipal charter provision or ordinance to the contrary, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor in accordance with Title 37‑B, section 742 due to the outbreak of COVID-19, a body subject to this subchapter may conduct a public proceeding through telephonic, video, electronic or other similar means of remote participation under the following conditions:
A. Notice of the public proceeding has been given in accordance with section 406, and the notice includes the method by which the public may attend in accordance with paragraph C; [PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).]
B. Each member of the body who is participating in the public proceeding is able to hear and speak to all the other members during the public proceeding and members of the public attending the public proceeding in the location identified in the notice given pursuant to paragraph A are able to hear all members participating at other locations; [PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).]
C. The body determines that participation by the public is through telephonic, video, electronic or other similar means of remote participation; and [PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).]
D. All votes taken during the public proceeding are taken by roll call vote. [PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).]
2. Application to legislative proceedings. This section does not apply to public proceedings of the Legislature, a legislative committee or the Legislative Council, except that while the state of emergency as set out in subsection 1 is in effect, the Legislature, a legislative committee or the Legislative Council may restrict attendance by the public to remote access by telephonic, video, electronic or other similar means. This section also does not apply to town meetings held pursuant to Title 30‑A, section 2524 or regional school unit budget meetings pursuant to Title 20‑A, section 1483.
[PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).]
3. Repeal. This section is repealed 30 days after the termination of the state of emergency as set out in subsection 1.
[PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. G, §1 (NEW).