HB516: HB516 State government; authorize county and regional library boards to conduct meetings via teleconference

Georgia's open meetings law (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1) previously allowed only certain bodies, like development authorities and hospital authorities, to hold meetings by teleconference. This bill adds county and regional public library boards and community service boards to that list, but with conditions: at least half the board members must be physically present at a set location, and the public must have a way to watch and comment even if not there in person. The bill also creates a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 50-1-14) naming the Attorney General as the state official who can approve tax-exempt private activity bonds used to build or refinance state charter school facilities, a role required under federal tax law (26 U.S.C. Section 147(f)). The Attorney General must hold a public hearing within 60 days of a written request and decide on the bonds within 30 days after that hearing, if the charter school meets certain legal requirements.

• Adds county and regional public library boards to the list of bodies allowed to hold teleconference meetings under Georgia's open meetings law (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1).
• Adds community service boards to the same list of bodies allowed to meet by teleconference under specific conditions.
• Requires that at least 50 percent of a library or community service board's members be physically present at a set location for a teleconference meeting to count.
• Requires these boards to offer the public a way to watch the meeting and submit comments without attending in person.
• Creates a new law (O.C.G.A. § 50-1-14) making the Attorney General the official who approves private activity bonds for state charter school buildings, with 60-day and 30-day deadlines for holding a hearing and issuing a decision.

County and regional public library boards, community service boards, their staff and members of the public who attend their meetings, the Attorney General's office, and state charter schools seeking bond financing for their facilities.

Library and community service boards would gain more flexibility to meet remotely while still being required to keep a physical quorum and public access, changing how these local government bodies operate day to day. Charter schools seeking bond financing would have a clearer, faster state process for approval.

• Section 1 creates O.C.G.A. § 50-1-14, naming the Attorney General as the approving official for private activity bonds financing state charter school facilities under federal tax law.
• Section 1 sets a 60-day deadline for the Attorney General to hold a public hearing after a written request and a 30-day deadline afterward to approve qualifying bond issuances.
• Section 2 revises O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(h) to add county and regional public library boards (new subparagraph (E)) to the bodies allowed to meet by teleconference.
• Section 2 adds community service boards (new subparagraph (F)) to the same teleconference authorization.
• Both new categories of boards must hold meetings at a physical location with at least half the members physically present.
• Both new categories of boards must provide a way for the public to view meetings and comment without attending in person.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-14Act 271
3. 2025-05-14House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-09House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-04-04House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2025-04-04Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2025-04-04Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2025-04-04Senate Taken from Table (Senate)

• Kimberly New (R, HD-040)Primary sponsor
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)
• Mitchell Scoggins (R, HD-014)
• Holt Persinger (R, HD-119)
• Rob Leverett (R, HD-123)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2025

   164 yea, 5 nay (6 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #183

2. PassedHouse voteApril 4, 2025

   94 yea, 71 nay (3 not voting, 12 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #453

3. PassedSenate voteApril 4, 2025

   49 yea, 1 nay (5 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #480

• public libraries
• open meetings law
• charter schools
• bond financing
• local government transparency