Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) today announced that his bill to allow state and local governments to conduct meetings remotely for the duration of the COVID-19 state disaster emergency has received Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. This legislation will allow public bodies to continue meeting virtually, a practice normalized during the pandemic to control the spread of the virus, provided that the public has the opportunity to watch or listen. Many public bodies across New York State have found that virtual meetings have increased the amount of public participation and enhance government transparency and accessibility.

This new law was supported by the Association of Towns, the New York Conference of Mayors, and the New York State School Boards Association.

Assemblymember Fred Thiele said, “The duties and responsibilities of government never stopped with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. State and local governments relied heavily on the ability to meet safely and transparently in the last two years. With this authorization now in law, they can continue to do so for the duration of the state disaster emergency. I sincerely thank my partner on the bill, Senator Gaughran, and Governor Hochul for signing this crucial public health measure into law.”