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:

[Last updated 8/9/2023]

Legislature adjourned.  Bills signed by Governor in bold below and go into effect on 10-30-2023.  Any bill that was not signed by the Governor is dead and will not become law.

  • SB1020 – Would amend A.R.S. §38-431.01 to require that public bodies provide seating at meetings for “reasonably anticipated attendance” and require that meeting agendas note the time that the public can physically access the meeting location, with an exception for meetings held through technological means.  This bill has not advanced beyond being introduced.
  • SB1270 – This bill would require that public bodies provide seating at meetings for “reasonably anticipated attendance” and require that meeting agendas note the time that the public can physically access the meeting location, with an exception for meetings held through technological means. It applies only to “schools, school boards, executive boards and municipalities.”  This bill was signed into law by the Governor on 4/6.
  • SB 1318 – This bill would make many entities associated with charter schools, including some private entities, subject to the open meeting (and public records law).  This bill has been second read and assigned to the Senate Education Committee.
  • HB2144 — This bill is essentially the same as SB1020.  It passed the House unanimously on 3/7 and was transmitted to the Senate.  It was the subject of a successful strike everything amendment in the Senate Government Committee and no longer concerns the open meeting law.

Open Meetings – PUBLICATIONS

Open Meetings – REFERENCES

Open Meetings – STATUTES