In 2021, the Sunshine Act was amended to provide new requirements for publishing and posting public meeting agendas. The amendment required local governing bodies to post agendas to their publicly accessible website at least 24 hours in advance of the public meeting. The Sunshine Act amendment, however, provided limited exceptions to allow governing bodies to add items to its already published agenda within 24 hours of the public meeting or at the public meeting. Those exceptions are enumerated in Section 712.1 of the Sunshine Act and include the following: a matter that relates to a real or potential emergency involving… read more »
Everyone Gets Along, Until They Don’t – The Importance of Establishing Formal Governing Body Bylaws and Meeting Procedures
The past two years have seemingly stood for one general proposition, expect the unexpected. Given the recent rise in public participation at government meetings, the global pandemic, polarizing viewpoints, and the inevitable unexpected situations, municipalities should consider adopting formal bylaws and meeting procedures to govern the conduct of both the governing body and public participants at municipal meetings. Municipalities that have already adopted formal bylaws, procedures, rules and regulations should consider reviewing the documentation for necessary updates. In certain circumstances, such as varied meeting formats or remote participation, formal action may be required to continue allowing for remote participation or… read more »
Sunshine Act Amendment
The Sunshine Act was amended by Act 65 of 2021 providing new requirements for publishing and posting public meeting agendas and new restrictions on when public bodies may vote on at meetings on matters not listed in the published agenda. These Amendments to the Sunshine Act are effective August 29, 2021.The agenda is required to contain a listing of each matter of agency business that will be or may be the subject of or deliberation of or official action at the meeting.All government agencies, including but not limited to Counties, Townships, Boroughs, and Authorities, that have a publicly accessible website are… read more »