HB 516: 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) currently allows certain bodies, such as development authorities and hospital authorities, to meet by teleconference. This bill adds county and regional public library boards and community service boards to that list. To use teleconferencing, at least half of the board members must still be physically present at a set location, and the board must offer the public a way to watch and comment without attending in person. The bill also adds a new section to Title 50 naming the Attorney General as the 'applicable elected representative' under federal tax law who can approve private activity bonds used to finance or refinance state charter school facilities. The Attorney General must hold a public hearing within 60 days of a written request and decide on approval within 30 days after that hearing, if the charter school and facility meet specific legal requirements.

• Adds county and regional public library boards to the list of bodies allowed to meet by teleconference under Georgia's open meetings law (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1).
• Adds community service boards to that same teleconferencing authorization, with the same physical-presence and public-access conditions.
• Requires that at least 50 percent of a library or community service board's members be physically present at any teleconference meeting.
• Requires these boards to offer the public a way to watch the meeting and submit comments without attending in person.
• Creates a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 50-1-14) naming the Attorney General as the official who can approve private activity bonds for financing state charter school facilities.
• Sets deadlines requiring the Attorney General to hold a public hearing within 60 days of a request and decide on bond approval within 30 days of that hearing.

County and regional public library boards, community service boards (which handle mental health, developmental disability, and addiction services), the Attorney General's office, state charter schools seeking bond financing for facilities, and members of the public who attend or want to comment at these boards' meetings.

Library and community service board members could participate remotely more easily, potentially making it simpler to reach a quorum, while the law still requires half the board to be present in person and requires a way for the public to watch and comment. The bond provision gives charter schools a clearer, time-limited path to get facility financing approved.

• Section 1 creates O.C.G.A. § 50-1-14, designating the Attorney General as the approving official for private activity bonds financing state charter school facilities under federal tax law (26 U.S.C. § 147).
• Section 1 requires the Attorney General to hold a public hearing within 60 days of receiving a written request, and to approve qualifying bond issuances within 30 days of that hearing.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(h) to add county and regional public library boards (new subsection (E)) and community service boards (new subsection (F)) to the list of bodies that may hold teleconference meetings.
• Section 2 requires that at least 50 percent of members of these boards be physically present at a set location during any teleconference meeting.
• Section 2 requires these boards to provide the public a method to view meetings and submit comments remotely.
• 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 (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2025-04-09House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2025-04-04House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2025-04-04Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senado)
7. 2025-04-04Senate Third Read (Senado)
8. 2025-04-04Senate Taken from Table (Senado)

• Kimberly New (R, HD-040)Patrocinador principal
• 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. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes4 de marzo de 2025

   164 a favor, 5 en contra (6 sin votar, 5 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #183

2. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes4 de abril de 2025

   94 a favor, 71 en contra (3 sin votar, 12 ausentes)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #453

3. AprobadaVotación: Senado4 de abril de 2025

   49 a favor, 1 en contra (5 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #480

• public libraries
• open meetings law
• charter schools
• bond financing
• community service boards