House Resolution 5

A RESOLUTION TO AMEND HOUSE RULE 104A TO REQUIRE ALL OFFICIAL MEETINGS OF ANY STANDING, INTERIM OR SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO BE LIVE STREAMED OR OTHERWISE BROADCAST TO THE PUBLIC.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That House Rule 104A is amended as follows:

104A. All official meetings of any standing, interim or special committee of the House of Representatives, but not including conference committees, unless otherwise provided by this rule or the Constitution of the United States or the State of Mississippi, are declared to be public meetings and shall be open and livestreamed or otherwise broadcast to the public at all times unless declared an executive session as provided herein. Any such House committee may enter into executive session for the transaction of public business; provided, however, all meetings of any such committee shall commence as an open meeting, and an affirmative vote of a majority of all members present shall be required to declare an executive session. The procedure to be followed by such committee in declaring an executive session shall be as follows: Any member shall have the right to require a closed determination upon the issue of whether or not to declare an executive session. Such member, by motion, shall require the meeting to be closed for a preliminary determination of the necessity for executive session. No other business shall be transacted until the discussion of the nature of the matter requiring executive session has been completed and a vote taken on the issue. The total vote on the question of entering into an executive session shall be recorded and spread upon the minutes of such committee. Any such vote whereby executive session is declared shall be applicable only to that particular meeting. Any such House committee may make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of persons attending its meetings. Minutes shall be kept of all House committees, in open or executive session, and shall consist of a written record of attendance and final actions taken at such meetings. Such minutes shall be open to public inspection during regular business hours within a reasonable time after adjournment. During a regular or special session of the Legislature, notice of meetings of all House committees, other than conference committees, shall be given by announcement on the loudspeaker during sessions of the House or by posting on a bulletin board provided for that purpose. When not in session, the meeting times and places of all House committees shall be kept by the Clerk of the House of Representatives and shall be available at all times during regular working hours to the public and news media.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this amendment to House Rule 104A as contained in this resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption of this resolution by the House of Representatives.