Guest Kendra Posted May 19, 2020 at 08:17 PM Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 at 08:17 PM During an open, public meeting, when a motion is made and then opened up for discussion, can non members contribute to the discussion? I know that they can't make the motion or vote on the motion, but can they add to the discussion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Mervosh Posted May 19, 2020 at 08:34 PM Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 at 08:34 PM 14 minutes ago, Guest Kendra said: During an open, public meeting, when a motion is made and then opened up for discussion, can non members contribute to the discussion? I know that they can't make the motion or vote on the motion, but can they add to the discussion? They have no right to under the rules in RONR. The body that is meeting can suspend the rules to permit it, again, under the rules in RONR, but they are not obliged to. If this is a public body you are referring to you should contact its attorney to provide you with an answer to this question as it relates to applicable statute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted May 19, 2020 at 11:42 PM Report Share Posted May 19, 2020 at 11:42 PM Agreeing with Mr. Mervosh, it sounds like maybe this is a public body, such as a school board. If so, it is likely subject to your state's open meetings laws (sunshine laws) which generally provide for public comment at meetings of the public body. You will have to look to that law and to any controlling local statutes and rules for information on public comment by members of the public. As Mr. Mervosh stated, RONR grants no rights whatsoever to non-members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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