Today Louisiana State Bond Commission Chair and State Treasurer John M. Schroder conducted the first-ever meeting of the commission to be held virtually, pursuant to a new law in effect that makes SBC the only statewide commission able to hold online meetings.
“During the pandemic we had to find a way to conduct the critical business of the state. Virtual meetings saved taxpayers from having to foot the bill for travel expenses to and from the Capitol,” Schroder said. “It also expanded access, which is what government is all about.”
A total of 202 attendees joined today’s meeting virtually, along with approximately 20 guests in person, nearly tripling the usual SBC meeting attendance.
A new law was prompted by the fact that state meetings could no longer be held virtually once the state’s pandemic emergency order expired. Legislation passed in the 2021 Regular Session allowed SBC to serve as a pilot for virtual meetings. The meetings cannot all be held virtually and an anchor location for the meeting must be made available for those who wish to attend in person. With the successful pilot completed, legislation that made the pilot permanent was passed in 2022. Administrative rulemaking went into effect this week, allowing for this first meeting to be conducted pursuant to R.S.42:29.
The special meeting was set for the purpose of discussing an investment banking pool. Moving forward instructions for submitting questions/comments will be found online via meetings’ posted agendas at https://www.treasury.la.gov/state-bond-commission.
The physical anchor location for the meetings is set for the First Floor Capitol Annex Building - Room 173, 1051 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. A link to virtually watch the meeting is also available at https://www.treasury.la.gov/state-bond-commission.