To Whom It May Concern,
I applaud this effort to further define Quorum for these groups.
I write to suggest an additional resulting change in the definition of "Public Council" in ACJA 1-202(B) to make clear that the public meeting provisions also apply to groups established by the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (as well as administrative order, court rule or statute). The Arizona Commission on Access to Justice is an example of one such group that used to be established by Administrative Orders, but is now established by ACJA 1-113.
Although there are several ways to accomplish that, let me suggest the following as one alternative (with suggested additions in bracketed language in CAPS):
“Public council” means any council, commission, board, or committee established by [THIS CODE,] administrative order, [OR COURT RULE] that includes any public members or members who are judges or employees of different courts or established by a statute [] that provides for the supreme court to appoint members and adopt rules.
Given this suggestion, I would recommend removing the proposed addition of "or court rule" toward the end of the text where the [] are located, given that concept is addressed earlier in the text.
Respectfully submitted in my individual capacity,
Samuel A. Thumma
Samuel A. Thumma
Judge, Arizona Court of Appeals
Division One
State Courts Building
1501 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
602.542.6790
[email protected]