Regional airport authorities and port authorities in Ohio may soon have new, convenient options to hold their board meetings. House Bill 614, which was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives on November 11, 2016, provides for the board of trustees of an airport or port authority to hold meetings through video conference or teleconference. Currently, R.C. Section 121.22 requires board members of public bodies, including airport and port authority boards, to be physically present at a meeting that is open to the public in order for each board member to vote on official business or be counted towards a quorum. H.B. 614 permits board members to count towards a quorum and vote even if they are only connected remotely through an appropriate audio or visual medium. However, H.B. 614 still encourages the spirit of open meetings in Ohio by requiring a board to set a central physical location where the public can attend and perceive all of the board members, as well as certain verification and security measures.
H.B. 614 is sponsored by Representatives John Patterson and Rick Perales. It will go before the House Rules & Reference Committee for recommendation to a standing committee. The full text of H.B. 614 can be found here.
