Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal yesterday signed a pair of bills requiring two state boards to offer audio and video broadcasts of their meetings. The broadcasts will be posted on the Internet and available for the public.

Both bills, HB 402 and HB 403, were authored by Rep. Kevin Pearson (R-76).

HB 402 requires the Board of Regents to broadcast on the Internet the audio and video of all board and committee meetings conducted in Baton Rouge. The legislation also requires the Board of Regents to maintain an archive of all the broadcasts.

HB 403 requires the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to broadcast on the Internet the audio and video of all board and committee meetings conducted in Baton Rouge. This bill, like HB 402, also requires BESE to archive all the recorded meetings.

“These bills demonstrate our state’s commitment to increasing transparency,” Pearson said. “Even when unable to attend, Louisianans from throughout the state will have the opportunity to access public meetings, which will help promote good government and accountability.”