Cumberland Rep Wants Remote Meetings To Continue Post-Pandemic

CUMBERLAND, RI — Cumberland Democrat Alex D. Marszalkowski says citizen participation in government has been enhanced by remote technology during the pandemic, and that he'd like to see it continue as an option.

A bill sponsored by Marszalkowski (2021-H 5891) would amend the Open Meetings Act to allow virtual public meetings to continue until July 1, 2023. The legislation was heard last week by the House State Government & Elections Committee.

The measure would allow state and local government entities in Rhode Island to continue using virtual meetings and electronic public participation. The dual purpose would be to protect the public from the pandemic and generate greater public participation, according to a release from the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau.

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Marszalkowski said in-person meetings are "still extremely important to our system of government" and that they will certainly restart. But he added that people should still have the option of participating remotely.

“While there certainly has been a learning curve for many, virtual meetings have proven quite successful in keeping the public engaged civically during the COVID-19 pandemic," Marszalkowski said. "In fact, we are seeing a much higher level of engagement from the public since allowing virtual meetings under the Open Meetings Act."

The legislation is supported by the RI Department of Business Regulation, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, RIHousing, and the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Planning Association.

“At the end of the day, we all want an engaged, passionate and knowledgeable public and if extending this amendment to the Open Meetings Act brings in more people to participate, I think that’s a good thing and should be offered,” Marszalkowski said.