Senate Bill 2747

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-41-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC BODY MAY NOT PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION OF CELL PHONES, OR THE USE OF CELL PHONES FOR VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING, BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC DURING ITS MEETINGS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-41-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MINUTES OF MEETINGS SHALL BE KEPT IN THE BUILDING IN WHICH THE PUBLIC BODY NORMALLY MEETS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 25-41-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-41-9. Any public body may make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of persons attending its meetings. However, a public body may not prohibit the possession of cell phones or other electronic devices, or the use of cell phones or other electronic devices for video or audio recording, by the general public during its meetings, but may make and enforce rules and regulations relative to conversation or sound created by the cell phone or other electronic device in order to allow for minimal disruption.

SECTION 2. Section 25-41-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-41-11. (1) Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of a public body, whether in open or executive session, showing the members present and absent; the date, time and place of the meeting; an accurate recording of any final actions taken at such meeting; and a record, by individual member, of any votes taken; and any other information that the public body requests be included or reflected in the minutes. The minutes shall be recorded within a reasonable time not to exceed thirty (30) days after recess or adjournment, shall be kept in the building in which the public body normally meets and shall be open to public inspection during regular business hours.

(2) Minutes of a meeting conducted by teleconference or video means shall comply with the requirements of Section 25-41-5.

(3) Minutes of legislative committee meetings shall consist of a written record of attendance and final actions taken at such meetings.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.