119 HR 9408 IH: Open Meetings Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-06-23 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9408IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 23, 2026Mr. Johnson of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Deluzio, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Ramirez, and Mr. Thanedar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend chapter 15 of title 28, United States Code, with respect to documentation requirements for a meeting of certain conferences and councils.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Open Meetings Act of 2026.

2.

Documentation requirement for meeting of certain conferences and councils

(a)

In general

Chapter 15 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

336.

Documentation requirement for meeting of certain conferences and councils

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term covered meeting means a meeting of a conference or council undertaken pursuant to this chapter. (b)

Notice Requirement

(1)

In general

Not later than 30 days before a covered meeting, the Judicial Conference shall publish notice of the covered meeting on the internet website of the Judicial Conference, including the date, time, place, and agenda of the covered meeting. (2)

Exception

The Judicial Conference may waive for good cause the requirement under paragraph (1). If the Judicial Conference waives the requirement under paragraph (1), the Judicial Conference shall publish an explanation for why the requirement was not met on the internet website of the Judicial Conference. (c)

Live audio streaming requirement

(1)

In general

Each covered meeting shall provide live audio streaming, accessible to the public without charge or registration. (2)

Record

The Judicial Conference shall maintain an archive of each live audio stream provided pursuant to paragraph (1). (3)

Publication

Not later than 7 days after the date of a covered meeting, the Judicial Conference shall publish on the internet website of the Judicial Conference an archive of the live audio stream required under paragraph (1) in a manner that is accessible to the public without charge or registration. (4)

Exception

(A)

In general

During each covered meeting, the conference or council— (i)shall resolve into a closed session when publication of the matter at issue is prohibited by law; or (ii)may, by a majority vote, resolve into a closed session as determined appropriate by the conference or council for consideration of a sensitive or confidential matter. (B)

Statement

Prior to resolving into a closed session under subparagraph (A), the conference or council shall state the reason for so resolving.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 15 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 336. Documentation requirement for meeting of certain conferences and councils..