RSA 91-A:2 Effective 8/6/1975

Introduction

Current Next Previous Original Full History Changes

Section 2 of the Right-to-Know Law defines what is a meeting of a public body and how it must be held.

Statue Language

91-A:2 Meetings Open to the Public.

All public proceedings shall be open to the public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meetings of those bodies or agencies.

Any person shall be permitted to use recording devices, including but not limited to, tape recorders, cameras and videotape equipment, at such meetings.

Minutes of all such meetings, including names of members, persons appearing before the bodies or agencies, and a brief description of the subject matter discussed and final decisions shall be promptly recorded and open to public inspection within seventy-two hours of the public meeting, except as provided by RSA 91-A:5, and shall be treated as permanent records of any body or agency, without exception.

Except in an emergency or when there is a meeting of a legislative committee, a notice of the time and place of each such meeting shall be posted in two appropriate public places or shall be printed in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town at least twenty-four hours, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, prior to such meetings.

An emergency shall mean a situation where immediate undelayed action is deemed to be imperative and the minutes of the meeting shall clearly spell out the need for the emergency meeting.

When a meeting of a legislative committee is held, publication made pursuant to the rules of the house of representatives shall be sufficient notice.

If the charter of any city or guide lines set down by the appointing authority requires a broader public access to official meetings and records than herein described, such charter provisions or guide lines shall take precedence over the requirements of this chapter.

History

This is NOT the current language of this law. This language was in effect from August 6, 1975 until September 13, 1977. The previous language was effective August 24, 1971. The original language was effective August 26, 1967. This language of the RSA was changed by these session laws: 1975, 383; 1971, 327; 1969, 482; 1967, 251.

Changes

Key: Added Unchanged [Removed]

91-A:2 Meetings Open to the Public.

All public proceedings shall be open to the public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meetings of those bodies or agencies. Any person shall be permitted to use recording devices, including but not limited to, tape recorders, cameras and videotape equipment, at such meetings. Minutes of all such meetings, including names of members, persons appearing before the bodies or agencies, and a brief description of the subject matter discussed and final decisions shall be promptly recorded and open to public inspection within seventy-two hours of the public meeting, except as provided by [section ]RSA 91-A:5[ of this chapter], and shall be treated as permanent records of any body or agency, without exception. Except in an emergency or when there is a meeting of a legislative committee, a notice of the time and place of each such meeting shall be posted in two appropriate public places or shall be printed in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town at least twenty-four hours, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, prior to such meetings. An emergency shall mean a situation where immediate undelayed action is deemed to be imperative and the minutes of the meeting shall clearly spell out the need for the emergency meeting. When a meeting of a legislative committee is held, publication made pursuant to the rules of the house of representatives shall be sufficient notice. If the charter of any city or guide lines set down by the appointing authority requires a broader public access to official meetings and records than herein described, such charter provisions or guide lines shall take precedence over the requirements of this chapter.