Open Meetings

Every meeting of a public body is open to the public unless closed under the law's narrow exceptions. No proxy voting or secret ballots; every vote is viva voce and recorded in the minutes.

• §La. R.S. 42:12StatutePublic policy for open meetings; liberal constructionOpens legis.la.gov ↗
• §La. R.S. 42:14StatuteMeetings of public bodies to be open to the publicOpens legis.la.gov ↗

• Written notice of any meeting, with the agenda, date, time and place, is given at least 24 hours before, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
• The agenda may not be changed less than 24 hours before the meeting.
• The public gets a comment period before any vote on an agenda item.
• Anyone who asks for notice of meetings gets it at the same time members do.

• §La. R.S. 42:19StatuteNotice of meetingsOpens legis.la.gov ↗
• §La. R.S. 42:14StatuteMeetings of public bodies to be open to the publicOpens legis.la.gov ↗

A court may issue mandamus, an injunction or a declaratory judgment, void the action taken, and impose civil penalties. A plaintiff who wins is awarded reasonable attorney fees.

• §La. R.S. 42:26StatuteRemedies; jurisdiction; authority; attorney feesOpens legis.la.gov ↗