Section 715.693 | Video and teleconference meetings.
(A) The requirement in division (C) of section 121.22 of the Revised Code that a member of a public body be present in person at a meeting open to the public in order to be part of a quorum or to vote does not apply to a board of directors of a joint economic development zone created under section 715.691 of the Revised Code, or a joint economic development review council created under section 715.692 of the Revised Code, if the board or council holds the meeting by interactive video conference or by teleconference in the following manner:
(1) The board or council establishes a primary meeting location that is open and accessible to the public.
(2) Meeting-related materials that are available before the meeting are sent via electronic mail, facsimile, hand-delivery, or United States postal service to each member.
(3) In the case of an interactive video conference, the board or council causes a clear video and audio connection to be established that enables all meeting participants at the primary meeting location to see and hear each member.
(4) In the case of a teleconference, the board or the council causes a clear audio connection to be established that enables all meeting participants at the primary meeting location to hear each member.
(5) All board or council members have the capability to receive meeting-related materials that are distributed during a meeting.
(6) A roll call voice vote is recorded for each vote taken.
(7) The minutes of the board or council meeting identify which members remotely attended the meeting by interactive video conference or teleconference.
If the board or council proceeds under this section, use of an interactive video conference is preferred, but nothing in this section prohibits the council from conducting its meetings by teleconference or by a combination of interactive video conference and teleconference at the same meeting.
(B) A board of directors or a joint economic development review council shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section. At a minimum, the rules shall do all of the following:
(1) Authorize members to remotely attend a meeting by interactive video conference or teleconference, or by a combination thereof, in lieu of attending the meeting in person;
(2) Establish a minimum number of members that must be physically present in person at the primary meeting location if the board or council conducts a meeting by interactive video conference or teleconference;
(3) Require that not more than one member remotely attending a meeting by teleconference is permitted to be physically present at the same remote location;
(4) Establish geographic restrictions for participation in meetings by interactive video conference and by teleconference;
(5) Establish a policy for distributing and circulating meeting-related materials to members, the public, and the media in advance of or during a meeting at which members are permitted to attend by interactive video conference or teleconference;
(6) Establish a method for verifying the identity of a member who remotely attends a meeting by teleconference.
Last updated September 13, 2023 at 12:09 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- October 3, 2023 – Enacted by House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly [ View October 3, 2023 Version ]