SUMMARY:  This bill would amend Code Section 50-14-1 of the O.C.G.A. to require posting of a written notice if the meeting is to be held at a different time or place for at least 24 hours in advance and to require publication in the legal organ at least 24 hours in advance, or in a publication having circulation equal to the legal organ in the county.  It eliminates the provision that allows posting of the change at the regular meeting place in 24 hours in advance in counties where the legal organ is published less often than 4 times weekly.  In case of an emergency meeting, a posting of a written notice for at least 8 hours would be required at the regular meeting place with a written or oral notice to the legal organ.  The agency’s declaration of an emergency would be reviewable by the superior court, and the presiding officer would have to execute an affidavit under oath how the notification of the meeting was given, attached to the meeting’s minutes.

NOTE: In counties where the legal organ is published less often than 4 times weekly and where there is no other newspaper with a circulation equal to or greater than the legal organ, called meetings of boards of education could be delayed as much as 10 days.  Therefore, more emergency meetings could be called, which would further limit notification of the public of the open meetings.