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HF3295 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Open Meeting Law; meeting broadcasting through social media authorized.

Related bill: SF3487

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to modify existing Open Meeting Law in Minnesota to include the authorization for public bodies to utilize social media platforms for live broadcasting meetings.

Main Provisions

  • Social Media Use by Members: Members of a public body can use social media to communicate with the public without violating the Open Meeting Law. However, using email is not considered social media for this purpose.
  • Live Broadcasting on Social Media: Public bodies are allowed to live broadcast meetings via social media platforms. They are not obligated to enable a comment feature during these broadcasts.
  • Public Comment Management: If comments are allowed during the broadcast, they do not automatically become government records unless previously stated in meeting notices. Public bodies choosing to accept social media comments as public testimony must establish rules for their inclusion and discussion.
  • Notification Requirements: Public bodies that plan to broadcast meetings on social media must include this information and access details in the public meeting notices. They must also detail how remote public comments can be submitted for the meeting record if a comment period is offered.
  • Technology Requirements: The bill does not permit conducting meetings solely through social media unless the platform meets the interactive technology standards specified in other sections of the Open Meeting Law.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill makes a significant change by explicitly authorizing public bodies to broadcast meetings using social media while setting guidelines for how comments during such broadcasts are managed and whether they become part of the official meeting record.

Relevant Terms

  • Open Meeting Law
  • Social media broadcasting
  • Public body
  • Government records
  • Interactive technology
  • Public notice
  • Public testimony

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
May 05, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law
May 06, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Authorizes use of social media for live broadcasting public meetings."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies provisions related to the use of social media by public bodies under section 13D.065.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies that email is not considered a type of social media."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13D.065",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill references record-keeping practices as related to social media comments in public meetings.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies that comments from social media broadcasts are not government records unless specified."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "15.17",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill references archival and record-keeping requirements in relation to social media comments.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies rules regarding whether social media comments are part of public records."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "138.17",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirements to include social media broadcast information in meeting notices."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies notice requirements for public meetings utilizing live social media broadcasts.",
      "modified": [
        "Adds procedures for including remote public comments in meeting records."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13D.04",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors