SALEM — All but one of Oregon’s state senators voted Wednesday, Feb. 21, to pass a bill focused on education board transparency that would require recording public board meetings and then uploading them online.

The bill, Senate Bill 1502, applies to boards of public school districts, community colleges and universities.

It exempts school districts with fewer than 50 students and allows for audio recordings in lieu of video for school districts without adequate access to the internet. The requirement to record only applies to public meetings as covered by Oregon’s public meeting law, so executive sessions, for example, do not need to be uploaded.

Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, supported the bill. Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, was the sole vote against the bill.

“This bill will improve the transparency of our education boards, grant greater access to busy parents and community members, and promote equity by ensuring everyone can stay engaged,” said Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, co-chief sponsor of the bill.

The bill, if passed without changes by the Oregon House of Representatives, would go into effect at the start of next year.

“I believe increasing accessibility to government processes at all levels will lead to greater accountability and transparency to the public,” said Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, another co-sponsor. “We need more of this, which is why I am pleased to have voted in favor of this bill.”