Present law (R.S. 42:11 et seq.– Open Meetings Law) defines "meeting" as the convening of a quorum of a public body to deliberate or act on a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power or to receive information regarding a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power.

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Present law creates the Oilfield Site Restoration Commission (OSRC) within the office of the secretary of the Dept. of Natural Resource (DNR) and specifies its membership, powers, and duties. Provides that its domicile is East Baton Rouge Parish (EBR); provides that a majority of the membership of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business; provides for regular quarterly meetings. Requires meetings to take place in EBR, but allows no more than two meetings at other places in the state.

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Present law creates the Advisory Commission for Louisiana's Energy, Environment, and Restoration (CLEER) within DNR and provides for its membership and functions. Provides that the commission is domiciled in EBR, provides that a majority of the commission members constitutes a quorum for the purposes of taking any action. Specifies that actions of the commission may be taken by an affirmative vote of the commission members present.

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Proposed law authorizes OSRC and CLEER commission members whose domicile is more than 50 miles from the domicile of the commission to participate in a commission meeting via teleconference or video conference, as those terms are defined present law, if there is a physical location for the meeting at which any member of the commission or any member of the public may participate in person. Specifies that a commission member participating via teleconference or video conference shall be counted toward the number of members necessary to establish a quorum and may vote.

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Present law defines "teleconference" as a method of communication which enables persons in different locations to participate in a meeting and to hear and otherwise communicate with each other and "video conference" as a method of communication which enables persons in different locations to participate in a meeting and to see, hear, and otherwise communicate with each other.

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Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.