(a) Any governmental body as defined in Section 36-25A-2 that is of a county or a municipality or is an entity established by or whose members are appointed by a county or municipality may allow participation in a meeting of that governmental body by means of telephone conference, video conference, or other similar communications equipment that allows all participants to hear one another at the same time; provided, that both of the following are fulfilled:

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 36-25A-5.2

  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
(1) No less than a quorum of the members of the governmental body are physically present at the physical location required by subsection (d).
(2) The members of the body participating by electronic means as provided in this section are unable to be physically present at the meeting due to illness.
(b) Participation by electronic means as authorized in this section shall constitute presence in person at the meeting for all purposes, except for the establishment of a quorum.
(c) At least 45 days before the first meeting that a governmental body uses electronic means of communication as authorized by this section, the body shall adopt an electronic meeting policy detailing the procedures and communications equipment that will be used, how the public may access the meeting, and how voting will be conducted.
(d) Each meeting in which members of a governmental body are participating by electronic means as authorized in this section shall be held at a physical location available for persons wishing to be physically present, at which any interested member of the public shall be able to hear all persons who are participating remotely.
(e) Any vote taken at a meeting utilizing the equipment authorized by subsection (a) shall be taken as a roll call vote that allows each participant to vote individually in a manner audible to all persons participating or present at the physical location provided for in subsection (d).
(f) A member participating in a meeting by electronic means as provided by this section may not claim any form of reimbursement for expenses relating to that meeting, including mileage.
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