Alabama
Open Meetings Act
Formally: Alabama Open Meetings Act
Ala. Code §§ 36-25A-1 to 36-25A-11
Sunshine Score
| Advance Notice | 7 days |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Not required, remote allowed |
| Closed Sessions | 5 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Not required
Post notice at least 7 calendar days before meeting at principal office or on Secretary of State's website for statewide bodies
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote
Public Participation
Alabama Open Meetings Act (Ala. Code § 36-25A-1 et seq.) does not require a public comment period. Bodies set their own participation policies. The law guarantees the right to attend open meetings but not the right to address the governing body.
Virtual Meetings
Allowed under Ala. Code § 36-25A-5.1 for bodies spanning two or more counties; participation counts as attendance but not for quorum purposes. One physical location must be open to the public. Several body types are excluded.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Not required
Content requirements: date, time, location, members present/absent, matters considered, votes taken with individual member votes
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Scope
This law applies to:
Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)
Accessibility & Language Access
ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.
Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.