Bill Sponsors
Handy, Azzinaro, Bennett, Fogarty, Chippendale, Serpa, Ackerman, Slater, McNamara, and Donovan
Committee
House State Government & Elections
Summary
Select
This bill amends the state's Open Meetings law to allow Rhode Island General Assembly committees to accept remote testimony from the public during open meetings. Members of the public can use electronic communication, such as telephone or video conferencing, to participate. For this to occur, the remote participants and the people attending in person must be clearly audible and visible to each other. Additionally, a quorum of the committee must be participating, and the meeting's public notice must include instructions on how the public can access the virtual meeting.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Increases democratic participation and free speech by removing transportation and geographic barriers, allowing low-income and disabled individuals to testify more easily.
- Supports working-class individuals, single parents, and caregivers who may not have the time, flexible work schedules, or childcare resources to attend legislative hearings in person.
- Enhances systemic reform and transparency by modernizing government processes and ensuring that public notices include clear instructions for virtual access.
Cons for Progressives
- May inadvertently exclude individuals affected by the digital divide, particularly those in impoverished communities without reliable high-speed internet or compatible electronic devices.
- The requirement that remote participants be "clearly audible and visible" might effectively exclude individuals who only have access to standard landline telephones without video capabilities.
- Remote testimony might be treated with less weight or attention by committee members compared to in-person testimony, potentially diminishing the voices of those who cannot attend physically.
Pros for Conservatives
- Increases efficiency and reduces the need for business owners to travel to the state capitol, saving time and money when advocating for corporate or industry interests.
- Promotes personal freedom by giving citizens more options and flexibility in how they interact with and petition their elected representatives.
- Modernizes government functions and hearings by utilizing existing teleconferencing technologies, potentially streamlining the legislative process without expanding government bureaucracy.
Cons for Conservatives
- Could lead to a flood of coordinated, remote activist testimonies, potentially overwhelming committees and slowing down the legislative process.
- Diminishes the traditional, formal nature of legislative hearings and the rule of law by allowing individuals to participate from casual, unvetted environments.
- May require additional government spending on IT infrastructure, software licenses, and technical support staff to manage virtual meetings and ensure remote participants are clearly audible and visible.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely. The bill expands public access to government meetings, which generally supports First Amendment rights to petition the government and free speech. It does not appear to infringe on due process, privacy, or protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Members of the public
- General Assembly committee members
- Advocacy groups
- Individuals with disabilities
- Business owners
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Environmental Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 04/29/2026 Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 42-46-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-46 entitled "Open Meetings" is hereby amended to read as follows:
42-46-5. Purposes for which meeting may be closed — Use of electronic communications — Judicial proceedings — Disruptive conduct.
(a) A public body may hold a meeting closed to the public pursuant to § 42-46-4 for one or more of the following purposes:
(1) Any discussions of the job performance, character, or physical or mental health of a person or persons provided that the person or persons affected shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that they may require that the discussion be held at an open meeting.
Failure to provide notification shall render any action taken against the person or persons affected null and void. Before going into a closed meeting pursuant to this subsection, the public body shall state for the record that any persons to be discussed have been so notified and this statement shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting.
(2) Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation.
(3) Discussion regarding the matter of security including, but not limited to, the deployment of security personnel or devices.
(4) Any investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct, either civil or criminal.
(5) Any discussions or considerations related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes, or of the disposition of publicly held property wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public.
(6) Any discussions related to or concerning a prospective business or industry locating in the state of Rhode Island when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the interest of the public.
(7) A matter related to the question of the investment of public funds where the premature disclosure would adversely affect the public interest. Public funds shall include any investment plan or matter related thereto, including, but not limited to, state lottery plans for new promotions.
(8) Any executive sessions of a local school committee exclusively for the purposes: (i) Of conducting student disciplinary hearings; or (ii) Of reviewing other matters that relate to the privacy of students and their records, including all hearings of the various juvenile hearing boards of any municipality; provided, however, that any affected student shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that the student may require that the discussion be held in an open meeting.
Failure to provide notification shall render any action taken against the student or students affected null and void. Before going into a closed meeting pursuant to this subsection, the public body shall state for the record that any students to be discussed have been so notified and this statement shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting.
(9) Any hearings on, or discussions of, a grievance filed pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.
(10) Any discussion of the personal finances of a prospective donor to a library.
(b) No meeting of members of a public body or use of electronic communication, including telephonic communication and telephone conferencing, shall be used to circumvent the spirit or requirements of this chapter; provided, however, these meetings and discussions are not prohibited.
(1) Provided, further however, that discussions of a public body via electronic communication, including telephonic communication and telephone conferencing, shall be permitted only to schedule a meeting, except as provided in this subsection.
(2) Provided, further however, that a member of a public body may participate by use of electronic communication or telephone communication while on active duty in the armed services of the United States.
(3) Provided, further however, that a member of that public body, who has a disability as defined in chapter 87 of this title and:
(i) Cannot attend meetings of that public body solely by reason of the member’s disability; and LC006359 - Page 2 of 5
(ii) Cannot otherwise participate in the meeting without the use of electronic communication or telephone communication as reasonable accommodation, may participate by use of electronic communication or telephone communication in accordance with the process below.
(4) The governor’s commission on disabilities is authorized and directed to:
(i) Establish rules and regulations for determining whether a member of a public body is not otherwise able to participate in meetings of that public body without the use of electronic communication or telephone communication as a reasonable accommodation due to that member’s disability;
(ii) Grant a waiver that allows a member to participate by electronic communication or telephone communication only if the member’s disability would prevent the member from being physically present at the meeting location, and the use of such communication is the only reasonable accommodation; and
(iii) Any waiver decisions shall be a matter of public record.
(5) The university of Rhode Island board of trustees members, established pursuant to § 16-32-2, are authorized to participate remotely in open public meetings of the board; provided, however, that:
(i) The remote members and all persons present at the meeting location are clearly audible and visible to each other;
(ii) A quorum of the body is participating;
(iii) If videoconferencing is used to conduct a meeting, the public notice for the meeting shall inform the public that videoconferencing will be used and include instructions on how the public can access the virtual meeting; and
(iv) The board shall adopt rules defining the requirements of remote participation including its use for executive session, and the conditions by which a member is authorized to participate remotely.
(6) The Rhode Island Life Science Hub board of directors, established pursuant to § 23- 99-4, is authorized to participate remotely in open public meetings of the board, in accordance with the provisions of § 23-99-4(c).
(7) The committees of the general assembly are authorized to take testimony from members of the public remotely via electronic communication, including telephonic communication and telephone conferencing; provided, however, that:
(i) The remote members of the public and all persons present at the meeting location are clearly audible and visible to each other;
(ii) A quorum of the body is participating; and LC006359 - Page 3 of 5
(iii) If videoconferencing is used to conduct a meeting, the public notice for the meeting shall inform the public that videoconferencing will be used and include instructions on how the public can access the virtual meeting.
(c) This chapter shall not apply to proceedings of the judicial branch of state government or probate court or municipal court proceedings in any city or town.
(d) This chapter shall not prohibit the removal of any person who willfully disrupts a meeting to the extent that orderly conduct of the meeting is seriously compromised.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
42-46-5. Purposes for which meeting may be closed — Use of electronic communications — Judicial proceedings — Disruptive conduct.
(a) A public body may hold a meeting closed to the public pursuant to § 42-46-4 for one or more of the following purposes:
(1) Any discussions of the job performance, character, or physical or mental health of a person or persons provided that the person or persons affected shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that they may require that the discussion be held at an open meeting.
Failure to provide notification shall render any action taken against the person or persons affected null and void. Before going into a closed meeting pursuant to this subsection, the public body shall state for the record that any persons to be discussed have been so notified and this statement shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting.
(2) Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation.
(3) Discussion regarding the matter of security including, but not limited to, the deployment of security personnel or devices.
(4) Any investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct, either civil or criminal.
(5) Any discussions or considerations related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes, or of the disposition of publicly held property wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public.
(6) Any discussions related to or concerning a prospective business or industry locating in the state of Rhode Island when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the interest of the public.
(7) A matter related to the question of the investment of public funds where the premature disclosure would adversely affect the public interest. Public funds shall include any investment plan or matter related thereto, including, but not limited to, state lottery plans for new promotions.
(8) Any executive sessions of a local school committee exclusively for the purposes: (i) Of conducting student disciplinary hearings; or (ii) Of reviewing other matters that relate to the privacy of students and their records, including all hearings of the various juvenile hearing boards of any municipality; provided, however, that any affected student shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that the student may require that the discussion be held in an open meeting.
Failure to provide notification shall render any action taken against the student or students affected null and void. Before going into a closed meeting pursuant to this subsection, the public body shall state for the record that any students to be discussed have been so notified and this statement shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting.
(9) Any hearings on, or discussions of, a grievance filed pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.
(10) Any discussion of the personal finances of a prospective donor to a library.
(b) No meeting of members of a public body or use of electronic communication, including telephonic communication and telephone conferencing, shall be used to circumvent the spirit or requirements of this chapter; provided, however, these meetings and discussions are not prohibited.
(1) Provided, further however, that discussions of a public body via electronic communication, including telephonic communication and telephone conferencing, shall be permitted only to schedule a meeting, except as provided in this subsection.
(2) Provided, further however, that a member of a public body may participate by use of electronic communication or telephone communication while on active duty in the armed services of the United States.
(3) Provided, further however, that a member of that public body, who has a disability as defined in chapter 87 of this title and:
(i) Cannot attend meetings of that public body solely by reason of the member’s disability; and LC006359 - Page 2 of 5
(ii) Cannot otherwise participate in the meeting without the use of electronic communication or telephone communication as reasonable accommodation, may participate by use of electronic communication or telephone communication in accordance with the process below.
(4) The governor’s commission on disabilities is authorized and directed to:
(i) Establish rules and regulations for determining whether a member of a public body is not otherwise able to participate in meetings of that public body without the use of electronic communication or telephone communication as a reasonable accommodation due to that member’s disability;
(ii) Grant a waiver that allows a member to participate by electronic communication or telephone communication only if the member’s disability would prevent the member from being physically present at the meeting location, and the use of such communication is the only reasonable accommodation; and
(iii) Any waiver decisions shall be a matter of public record.
(5) The university of Rhode Island board of trustees members, established pursuant to § 16-32-2, are authorized to participate remotely in open public meetings of the board; provided, however, that:
(i) The remote members and all persons present at the meeting location are clearly audible and visible to each other;
(ii) A quorum of the body is participating;
(iii) If videoconferencing is used to conduct a meeting, the public notice for the meeting shall inform the public that videoconferencing will be used and include instructions on how the public can access the virtual meeting; and
(iv) The board shall adopt rules defining the requirements of remote participation including its use for executive session, and the conditions by which a member is authorized to participate remotely.
(6) The Rhode Island Life Science Hub board of directors, established pursuant to § 23- 99-4, is authorized to participate remotely in open public meetings of the board, in accordance with the provisions of § 23-99-4(c).
(7) The committees of the general assembly are authorized to take testimony from members of the public remotely via electronic communication, including telephonic communication and telephone conferencing; provided, however, that:
(i) The remote members of the public and all persons present at the meeting location are clearly audible and visible to each other;
(ii) A quorum of the body is participating; and LC006359 - Page 3 of 5
(iii) If videoconferencing is used to conduct a meeting, the public notice for the meeting shall inform the public that videoconferencing will be used and include instructions on how the public can access the virtual meeting.
(c) This chapter shall not apply to proceedings of the judicial branch of state government or probate court or municipal court proceedings in any city or town.
(d) This chapter shall not prohibit the removal of any person who willfully disrupts a meeting to the extent that orderly conduct of the meeting is seriously compromised.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.