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SF3487 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Meeting broadcasting through social media authorization

Related bill: HF3295

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify the Open Meeting Law in Minnesota to include provisions for broadcasting public meetings through social media platforms. This aims to increase accessibility and transparency for the public while ensuring that the use of social media in meeting processes is clearly defined.

Main Provisions

  • Social Media Use by Members

    • Members of a public body can use social media to engage in exchanges that are open to the public without violating Open Meeting Law. However, this excludes email communication, which is not classified as social media for these purposes.

  • Broadcasting Meetings

    • A public body may broadcast its meetings live via social media. There is no obligation to enable public commenting during these broadcasts.
    • If a public comment section is enabled during the broadcast, comments are not automatically considered public records unless specified in meeting notices.
    • The public body must establish rules for managing and discussing public comments if they are accepted as public testimony.

  • Notice Requirements

    • Public bodies are required to inform the public that a meeting will be broadcast via social media. Notices must include details on accessing the broadcast and submitting comments if a public comment feature is enabled.
    • The status of comments as part of the public record must be clearly stated in meeting notices.

  • Limitations on Meeting Conduct

    • The bill does not authorize conducting meetings entirely through social media unless the platform meets the criteria for interactive technology under existing laws.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends the Minnesota Statutes section 13D.065 to allow for the inclusion of social media as a medium for live broadcasting public meetings. It clarifies the role of social media in public engagement without changing the fundamental requirements of interactive technology needed for the conduct of meetings.

Relevant Terms

open meeting law, social media, live broadcast, public comments, public body, meeting notice, public record, interactive technology.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
May 06, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
May 06, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toState and Local Government

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows meetings to be broadcasted live on social media.",
        "Establishes that comments during broadcasts are not government records unless stated otherwise."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the Open Meeting Law, providing for meeting broadcasting through social media under section 13D.065.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies requirements for public notice and handling of public comments during social media broadcasts."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13D.065",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section relates to the designation of certain materials as government records.",
      "modified": [
        "Comments posted on social media during broadcasts are not considered government records unless specified."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "15.17",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section pertains to the management and record-keeping of government entities.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies that social media comments during broadcasts do not fall under the records purview unless stated by the public body's notice."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "138.17",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors