An Act to modify the meeting place and notice requirements for county commission meetings.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That § 7-8-14 be AMENDED.

7-8-14. Meetings--County commission--Special sessions.

The board of county commissioners shall meet and hold sessions for the transaction of business at the courthouse or at the usual place of holding court any other suitable location in the county on at least a quarterly basis in January, April, July, and October of each year, and may adjourn from time to time. The board may hold as many regular meetings throughout the year as necessary to transact business. The county auditor or the chair of the board of county commissioners may call special sessions if the interests of the county demand it by giving three days' notice of the special session by mailing a copy of the notice to each of the county commissioners at their designated post office addresses. In addition to the notice by mail, notice may be given telephonically or through electronic communication to each county commissioner. In case of an emergency, a special session may be called by giving one day's notice to each commissioner by telephone. An emergency for the purpose of this section is an unforeseen occurrence or combination of circumstances that calls for immediate action or remedy to each county commissioner and the public in accordance with § 1-25-1.1.

Section 2. That § 7-8-16 be AMENDED.

7-8-16. Open meetings--County commission--Location.

The board of county commissioners shall hold its sessions as an open meeting and transact all business in a public manner in accordance with chapter 1-25. Meetings shall normally be held at the court house or at the usual place of holding court; however the board may occasionally hold its sessions at any other suitable place at the county seat or at other locations within the geographic county area if the meetings are held in a public place and if notice of the meeting is published once a week for at least two successive weeks before the meeting in the legal newspaper or newspapers of the county in which the meeting is to be held location in the county. Joint county‑municipal planning sessions may be held at any suitable location within the county. All matters pertaining to the interests of the county shall be heard by the board in session only, but it may continue any business from any regular session to an intermediate day.