W. Va. Code R. § 85-14-10

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 85-14-10 - Citizen's Right to Address Board

10.1. Persons other than Members and Advisory Members shall be permitted to address the Board only upon specific Agenda items, which may include an Agenda item called "General Public Comment Period."

10.2. Persons desiring to address the Board shall register to speak prior to the start of the Board meeting. The form for registration shall require the following information:

(1) name of the person,

(2) mailing address,

(3) telephone number where the person may be reached during the day,

(4) the person's group affiliation, if any, and

(5) the Agenda item to which the person desires to speak. If the person does not desire to speak to a particular Agenda item, the person shall identify the subject matter about which he or she wishes to speak.

10.3. A person desiring to address the Board shall, after being recognized, step to the podium, state his or her name, address, and group affiliation (if any), and speak clearly into the microphone.

10.4. Time limits. Citizens shall be limited to five minutes speaking time per item, unless additional time is granted by the presiding officer. Total citizen in-put on any subject under Board consideration can be limited to a fixed period by the presiding officer. An affirmative vote of six (6) Members may extend the time limitations of this rule.

10.5. This rule shall not apply to persons whom the Board has asked to come and address the Board. They shall have such time as the presiding officer or the Board allows for the presentation, including any question and answer period.

10.6. Remarks of citizens to be germane.

a. Citizen comments must be directed to a specific item on the Agenda, unless the comments are offered during a general public comment period when the public may comment on any aspect of the work of the Board.

b. The presiding officer shall rule on the germaneness of citizen remarks. The ruling may be initiated by the presiding officer or pursuant to a point of order raised by a Member or Advisory Member of the Board.

c. Citizens making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks shall be barred by the presiding officer from further comment before the Board during that meeting.

10.7. Matters not on Agenda. An affirmative vote of six (6) Members may allow citizens who wish to raise a matter not on the Agenda to speak.

10.8. With regard to exempt legislative rules, a member of the public may request the Board hold a public hearing on the Rule no later than fifteen (15) days from the date the Rule is filed for public comment with the Secretary of State's office. Requests may be made submitted to the Commission contact person identified on the "Notice of a Comment Period on a Proposed Rule." Whether a public hearing is held is within the sole discretion of the Chairperson.

W. Va. Code R. § 85-14-10