Open Meeting Law can apply to 'virtual meetings'

A state official says Minnesota's Open Meeting Law can apply to "virtual meetings" held via e-mail.

Administration Commissioner Sheila Reger issued the nonbinding opinion Monday. She says the advisory board that oversaw the now-defunct Metro Gang Strike Force violated the law when a quorum of members exchanged e-mails to approve a press release in April.

The Open Meeting Law says all meetings of public bodies must be open to the public, with limited exceptions. It doesn't define what constitutes a meeting.

Reger says Minnesota courts have not ruled definitely on the issue. So she's urging the Legislature to clarify what kinds of e-mail communications are permissible within public bodies.

The advisory opinion was requested by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.

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