Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

I hope you will support 150, 216, 307, 444, 599,631, 970 being moved to report as being in the best interests of openness for the people. I am against 331 for that same issue. Thank you.

Thank you for your consideration. Please report HB150, 307, 444, 599, and 722 out of committee. These will help infrequent requestors of small amounts of data to not be nickle and dimed to death, and will allow those who have kids or are seniors/can't drive at night or the handicapped/disabled to participate more fully in meetings. I ask that you vote against HB33 and HB687 for the same reasons.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

I hope you will support 150, 216, 307, 444, 599,631, 970 being moved to report as being in the best interests of openness for the people. I am against 331 for that same issue. Thank you.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Please move to report HB307 and 1303 and gently PBI 891.

Please move to report HB307, HB890, HB970, HB1287, HB1303. Please gently PBI HB891.

I hope you will support 150, 216, 307, 444, 599,631, 970 being moved to report as being in the best interests of openness for the people. I am against 331 for that same issue. Thank you.

Thank you for your consideration. Please report HB150, 307, 444, 599, and 722 out of committee. These will help infrequent requestors of small amounts of data to not be nickle and dimed to death, and will allow those who have kids or are seniors/can't drive at night or the handicapped/disabled to participate more fully in meetings. I ask that you vote against HB33 and HB687 for the same reasons.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

I hope you will support 150, 216, 307, 444, 599,631, 970 being moved to report as being in the best interests of openness for the people. I am against 331 for that same issue. Thank you.

Thank you for your consideration. Please report HB150, 307, 444, 599, and 722 out of committee. These will help infrequent requestors of small amounts of data to not be nickle and dimed to death, and will allow those who have kids or are seniors/can't drive at night or the handicapped/disabled to participate more fully in meetings. I ask that you vote against HB33 and HB687 for the same reasons.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Serving as a member of a government appointed board for several years, it has been trying to accomplish what we set out to do for our community for the last few years. I strongly support Bennet-Parkers efforts to amend the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; meetings conducted through electronic meetings. Amends existing provisions concerning electronic meetings by keeping the provisions for electronic meetings held in response to declared states of emergency, repealing the provisions that are specific to regional and state public bodies, and allowing public bodies to conduct all-virtual public meetings where all of the members who participate do so remotely and that the public may access through electronic communications means. Definitions, procedural requirements, and limitations for all-virtual public meetings are set forth in the bill, along with technical amendments. All in all, we can honor the commitment that we made as a board member and do our work for the community.

As an addendum to my previous comment, I also support following the lead of other states by removing restrictions on the number of meetings that can be held electronically.

Please support HB 444. Virtual meetings have greatly expanded access to public meetings by reducing the cost of attendance e.g., transportation, child care, etc. They have also ensured participant safety from infectious diseases. Virtual meetings typically have both video and phone components so that people with and without internet access can participate.

I serve on several boards as well as a governor appointed board. It would be of great benefit to the community and population we represent to amend the current language and practices with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. I would like to support Delegate Bennett-Parker to amend existing provisions concerning electronic meetings by keeping the provisions for electronic meetings held in response to declared states of emergency, repealing the provisions that are specific to regional and state public bodies, and allowing public bodies to conduct all-virtual public meetings where all of the members who participate do so remotely and that the public may access through electronic communications means. Definitions, procedural requirements, and limitations for all-virtual public meetings are set forth in the bill, along with technical amendments. Thank you!

Please I would like the Committee to favourably consider this Bill- Meetings held through electronic communication means; situations other than declared states of emergency. Thank you very much.

The Northern Virginia Aging Network (NVAN). NVAN consists of staff representatives from the five Northern Virginia Agencies on Aging, board members from the local Commissions on Aging, and representatives of allied organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and AARP. Participants meet to discuss issues of mutual concern, to craft a legislative platform for presentation to the Virginia General Assembly, and to discuss regional responses to critical issues affecting Northern Virginia's older adults. NVAN representatives have had nothing but positive experiences with holding electronic meetings these past 2 years. Participation in our meetings and forums have greatly increased. NVAN heartedly supports HB444 and urges its passage.

Comments Document

Dear Assembly Members: I am writing in support of HB 444/SB 214 for more flexibility in regards to holding electronic meetings outside of an emergency. I serve as the Executive Director of the Southside Planning District Commission (PDC13). PDC13 represents the 80,190 constituents of Brunswick, Halifax, and Mecklenburg Counties. Because of the rural nature of Southside Virginia, our Commissioners are frequently outside of the 60- mile allowance for electronic participation more than twice per year or 25% of our meetings due to business and personal obligations. Under a non-emergency status, these Commissioners are limited to participating electronically only twice per year. I support following the lead of other states by removing restrictions to the number of meetings that can be held electronically. If the subcommittee determines that a numeric restriction must remain, I recommend the allowance be increased to 50%. Additionally, I support allowing board, council, authority, and commission members to vote on necessary actions in electronic meetings under non-emergency circumstances. Continued restrictions on voting only serves to confine the routine operations of rural entities by disregarding the employment and personal needs ofthose appointed to serve. With the availability of real-time electronic conferencing or video services, meetings can be held electronically and still meet the requirements of "Open Meetings". In fact, video streaming of meetings ultimately allows greater participation by the public, especially when the public is spread over 2,000 square miles - a distance slightly larger than the state of Delaware. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting State of Emergency stands as proof that business can be conducted efficiently and effectively using electronic means. Thank you for taking up this matter and hearing the voices of those who serve our fellow Virginians. Deborah B. Gosney Executive Director Southside Planning District Commission

I hope you will support 150, 216, 307, 444, 599,631, 970 being moved to report as being in the best interests of openness for the people. I am against 331 for that same issue. Thank you.

Thank you for your consideration. Please report HB150, 307, 444, 599, and 722 out of committee. These will help infrequent requestors of small amounts of data to not be nickle and dimed to death, and will allow those who have kids or are seniors/can't drive at night or the handicapped/disabled to participate more fully in meetings. I ask that you vote against HB33 and HB687 for the same reasons.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Dear Delegates; I have spent almost 50 years working in local government. I have worked in just about every capacity in local government management, including County, City and Town Manager. Although I retired several years ago, I have since served in a part time capacity as Town Manager of the Town of Lovettsville, Virginia. I am quite familiar with FOIA and the implementation of FOIA at the local level of government. In every jurisdiction in which I worked (Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington Country, City of Hollywood, Florida, City of College Park, Maryland, Town of Lovettsville, Virginia. Today I write to you NOT as a local government official, rather as an individual, a resident of Loudoun County, Virginia since the late 1970's. I do NOT represent any local government at present in writing this email. I have read HB 599 as proposed. I do not disagree with the ideas and thoughts behind making public information readily available to the public. Instead I would like to draw your attention to some of the critical elements that I believe are missing from the Bill as currently proposed. I believe that the Bill is rather one sided in that it primarily addresses the government's responsibilities for making information accessible. It misses, issues that are more or less attributable to those that request the information. I have listed some such issues below: 1). Requests are often written in a confusing way making it difficult for local government officials to understand what exactly is being requested. 2). When such confusing requests are made, inquiries by public officials are often construed as attempts to avoid providing the information being requested. 3). The requesters often do not understand the complexity in gathering information, especially outdated information. Such requests cause delays, and although I believe HB 599 attempts to address these kinds of delays, requestors often construe these delay as attempts to avoid providing the information. 4). The purpose of the information should in my opinion be required to be defined by the requestor for information. While it may seem unfair to ask for the purpose or use of the information, often the information is requested for the purpose of embarrassing public officials when such action is unwarranted. 5). The requesters often make "a hobby" of making requests; and several at one time. The request takes moments to make, but hours and sometimes days to respond to at public expense. It is not always about the cost for preparing the information, rather the volume and complexity of requests requiring valuable staff time. And not all jurisdictions are equally equipped to respond. FOIA , in my opinion, should never be used to unduly "threaten" public officials, I know of cases where local residents have made several requests for information, withdrawing their requests almost immediately, and then in turn using the media to say that a request has been made, and that the jurisdiction has NOT responded, suggesting that there is a purposeful attempt to "hide" information which casts an unnecessary and unfair negative shadow over an elected or appointed public official. I appreciate the time taken to review my testimony and hope that you will consider making changes before passage of the proposed Bill 599. Respectfully, Samuel Finz Loudoun County , Virginia

There is a severe need for caps. One of my request for 30 document was $15,000. I could not afford that. Another request for emails resulted in the head of the department searching at $90 an hour. At these rates there is no freedom of information.

I hope you will support 150, 216, 307, 444, 599,631, 970 being moved to report as being in the best interests of openness for the people. I am against 331 for that same issue. Thank you.

To Committee: From: Mom in Prince William County Thank you for allowing me to provide written comment. I am a mother of an autistic child who was charged 8000.00 by the school district for a video and emails about the bus staff dragging my daughter. Can you imagine during a pandemic being charged so much money? I had to ask a local organization to fundraise the amount. PWCS eventually lowered the cost to 2500.00. 2500,00 to watch staff dragging my kid. Please stop school district from using high fees to avoid transparency. I speak for not only myself but for other parents like myself who are afraid to speak. I support this bill.

Thank you for your consideration. Please report HB150, 307, 444, 599, and 722 out of committee. These will help infrequent requestors of small amounts of data to not be nickle and dimed to death, and will allow those who have kids or are seniors/can't drive at night or the handicapped/disabled to participate more fully in meetings. I ask that you vote against HB33 and HB687 for the same reasons.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

I hope you will support 150, 216, 307, 444, 599,631, 970 being moved to report as being in the best interests of openness for the people. I am against 331 for that same issue. Thank you.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Thank you for your consideration. Please report HB150, 307, 444, 599, and 722 out of committee. These will help infrequent requestors of small amounts of data to not be nickle and dimed to death, and will allow those who have kids or are seniors/can't drive at night or the handicapped/disabled to participate more fully in meetings. I ask that you vote against HB33 and HB687 for the same reasons.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Delegate Gooditis submitted this bill at the request of the Town of Leesburg. During the declared emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our advisory commissions took advantage technology solutions that allowed them to meet remotely while still allowing public access to the meetings. Several commissions held all-virtual meetings, while other commissions held hybrid meetings with some members present at Town Hall and others joining remotely. With the end of the emergency declaration, commissions must have a quorum physically present in one place to hold a meeting, and members are once again limited to joining meetings remotely only twice a year. Technology is readily available that allows commission members and members of the public to join a meeting and to be seen and heard by everyone in the meeting. We should be taking advantage of these technology solutions to increase public participation in local government without sacrificing transparency. Common reasons that commission members miss meetings include health concerns, childcare needs, transportation issues, and winter weather. Technology solutions provide our commission members with the flexibility to continue to serve their community even when these issues arise. Members of the public experience the same issues that may prevent them from attending advisory commission meetings. We are asking for this change to apply only to advisory bodies, and not adjudicatory bodies such as the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, or Board of Architectural Review. We thank the subcommittee for their consideration of this bill and hope they will recommend reporting the bill to the full committee.

Thank you for your consideration. Please report HB150, 307, 444, 599, and 722 out of committee. These will help infrequent requestors of small amounts of data to not be nickle and dimed to death, and will allow those who have kids or are seniors/can't drive at night or the handicapped/disabled to participate more fully in meetings. I ask that you vote against HB33 and HB687 for the same reasons.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Sensitive information regarding cold cases being released can be detrimental to future investigations, ie.: giving information can create false admissions/confessions to the crime; it can be released to the suspect whereby he knows what the investigators have, and or the nature and possible identities of witnesses - solely redacting names of witnesses does not exclude the suspect deducing who that person is.

Please move to report HB307, HB890, HB970, HB1287, HB1303. Please gently PBI HB891.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Please move to report HB307 and 1303 and gently PBI 891.

Please move to report HB307, HB890, HB970, HB1287, HB1303. Please gently PBI HB891.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

Please move to report HB307, HB890, HB970, HB1287, HB1303. Please gently PBI HB891.

I hope you will support 150, 216, 307, 444, 599,631, 970 being moved to report as being in the best interests of openness for the people. I am against 331 for that same issue. Thank you.

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?