Amends TCA Section 8-44-108.

This bill authorizes board members of utility districts and water, wastewater, and natural gas utility authorities to participate in board meetings by electronic or other means of communication, as discussed below. PRESENT LAW Generally under present law, a governing body may, but is not required to, allow participation by electronic or other means of communication for the benefit of the public and the governing body in connection with any meeting authorized by law; however, a physical quorum must be present at the location specified in the notice of the meeting as the location of the meeting. Present law provides that a member participating in a meeting by the above-described means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting for purposes of voting, but not for purposes of determining per diem eligibility. However, a member may be reimbursed expenses of such electronic communication or other means of participation. For purposes of the present law provisions governing participation by electronic means, "governing body” refers to boards, agencies and commissions of state government, including state debt issuers, and to municipal legislative bodies organized under the general law provisions governing city manager-commission charters, having a city commission of three members, and having a population of more than 2,500. THIS BILL This bill extends the electronic meeting provisions to also apply to utility districts created pursuant to the Utility District Law, or a public or private act; and to water, wastewater, and natural gas utility authorities created under the Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority Act or Regional Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority Act, or a public or private act. Also, in regard to these entities only, this bill provides that a member who participates in a meeting by electronic or other means of communication may receive any authorized meeting per diem or compensation for attending the meeting.