Arizona’s Open Meeting Law

It is the public policy of this state that meetings of public bodies be conducted openly and that notices and agendas be provided for such meetings which contain such information as is reasonably necessary to inform the public of the matters to be discussed or decided. Accordingly, Arizona’s Open Meeting Law must be construed in favor of open and public meetings.

Meeting Notices, Agendas, and Minutes are often available on the public bodies’ website.

Legislation

Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session:

[The Legislature adjourned Sine Die on 6/15.]

Bills in italics did not pass.

No bills amending the open meeting law passed into law.

  • HB2078 – Would amend section 38-431.08 to exempt from the open meeting law “the exchange of communications among a quorum of a three-member advisory committee or subcommittee that involves a discussion or deliberation concerning a matter before the advisory committee or subcommittee.”
    • This bill has not advanced beyond second read.
  • HB2481 – Would require a public body to allow public comment on each item before the body makes a final decision on the item.  Would also expand the section 38-431.01(B) sufficient seating requirement to apply to all public bodies.  Would also make open calls to the public mandatory.  Would also expand the section 38-431.01(F) web-posting requirements concerning minutes, videos, and/or summaries of legal actions to cover all public bodies.  Would change notice and agenda posting requirements from 24 hours to 48 hours.  Would require agendas be made publicly available online and include supporting documentation.  Last, would remove open meeting law exemptions for legislative entities.  [Correction:  The bill would amend the definition of “public body” to no longer include the Legislation, thereby making it so the open meeting law does not apply to the Legislature.]
    • This bill passed the House on 2/28 by a vote of 31-28 and was transmitted to the Senate.
    • The bill failed on third read on 6/12.
  • SB1481 – Would subject many entities associated with charter schools, including charter school sponsors, corporates boards of directors, and management organizations that contract with charter schools, to the public records law and the open meeting law.
    • This bill has not advanced beyond second reading.
  • SB1731 – Would amend section 38-431.01 to permit members of a public body to discuss matters raised by speakers during an open call to the public.
    • This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 16-12-2 and was transmitted to the House on 3/5.
    • The bill failed in the Senate on 4/3 by a vote of 29-30.  A motion to reconsider within the next 14 days passed.  The motion was extended on 4/17.

News

  • 7/26/2024 — The Legislature adjourned sine die on 6/15.  No bills substantively amending the open meeting law were signed into law.
  • 7/26/2024 — We have made minor revisions to our Open Meeting Law booklet and published the newest version (below).

Open Meetings – PUBLICATIONS

Open Meetings – REFERENCES

Open Meetings – STATUTES