(a) This section applies only to the following public bodies:
(1) the Board of Directors of the Bainbridge Development Corporation;
(2) the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority;
(3) the Maryland 9-1-1 Board;
(4) the Board of Directors of the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Corporation;
(5) the Board of Directors of the Maryland Clean Energy Center;
(6) the Board of Directors of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation;
(7) the Board of Directors of the Maryland Environmental Service;
(8) the Maryland Food Center Authority;
(9) the Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority;
(10) the Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority;
(11) the Maryland Stadium Authority;
(12) the Maryland Transportation Authority;
(13) the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority;
(14) the Public Service Commission;
(15) the State Board of Elections;
(16) the Maryland Technology Development Corporation;
(17) the Historic St. Mary's City Commission;
(18) the State Ethics Commission; and
(19) the Maryland Aviation Commission.
In general
(b) A public body specified in subsection (a) of this section shall make publicly available on its website:
(1) each open meeting agenda, together with a summary of any finalized documents, written testimony from the public, and other materials that the public body will vote on at the open meeting:
(i) at least 48 hours in advance of each meeting; or
(ii) if the meeting is being held due to an emergency, a natural disaster, or any other unanticipated situation, as far in advance of the meeting as practicable;
(2) meeting minutes from the portions of a meeting that were held in open session, not more than 2 business days after the minutes are approved; and
(3) subject to subsections (f) and (g) of this section, live video streaming of each portion of a meeting that is held in open session.
Indication of open or closed session in meeting agenda
(c) To the extent practicable, each open meeting agenda shall indicate:
(1) whether the public body intends to adjourn the open session to a closed session; and
(2) if applicable, the expected time at which the public body intends to adjourn the open session to a closed session.
Approval of meeting minutes; consideration of prior meeting minutes at next meeting
(d)(1) The public body shall approve meeting minutes in a timely manner.
(2) Each open meeting agenda shall include consideration of the meeting minutes from the most recent meeting.
(3) The requirement under paragraph (2) of this subsection does not apply to the agenda of an emergency meeting of a public body if consideration of the meeting minutes from the most recent meeting is not practicable because of the need to hold an emergency meeting.
Retention of meeting minutes and video recording of meetings
(e) The public body shall maintain on its website:
(1) meeting minutes made available under subsection (b) of this section for a minimum of 5 years after the date of the meeting; and
(2) except as provided in subsections (f) and (g) of this section, a complete and unedited archived video recording of each open meeting for which live video streaming was made available under subsection (b) of this section for a minimum of 1 year after the date of the meeting.
(f)(1) This subsection applies only to the Maryland Stadium Authority.
(2) If the Maryland Stadium Authority meets by telephone conference, the Authority shall:
(i) make publicly available on its website live audio streaming of each portion of the meeting that is held in open session; and
(ii) maintain on its website a complete and unedited archived audio recording of each meeting for which live audio streaming was made available for a minimum of 1 year after the date of the meeting.
Maryland Transportation Authority live video streaming of meetings
(g)(1) This subsection applies only to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
(2) The Maryland Transportation Authority is required to provide live video streaming of a meeting only if the meeting is held at:
(i) the headquarters of the Maryland Transportation Authority; or
(ii) a location where the Maryland Transportation Authority held at least 10 meetings during the immediately preceding calendar year.
Department of Information Technology to provide technical staff, support, and equipment necessary to livestream open meetings
(h) The Department of Information Technology shall provide the technical staff, support, and equipment necessary to livestream the open meetings of:
(1) the Maryland Transportation Authority;
(2) the State Board of Elections; and
(3) the State Ethics Commission.
Project site visit or educational field tour not a meeting
(i) For purposes of this title, a project site visit or educational field tour may not be considered a meeting of a public body listed under subsection (a) of this section if no organizational business is conducted.
Altering agenda of meeting
(j) Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent a public body from altering the agenda of a meeting after the agenda has been made available to the public.
Requirements of this section in addition to other requirements
(k) The requirements of this section are in addition to the other requirements of this subtitle.
Credits
Added by Acts 2022, c. 346, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022. Amended by Acts 2023, c. 149, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 150, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 564, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2023.
MD Code, General Provisions, § 3-307, MD GEN PROVIS § 3-307
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
