House 156-0, (Senate on a voice vote without a roll call), approved a law that would lower the number of voters needed at an open town meeting in order to have a quorum. Other provisions include allowing virtual representative town meetings to be held online and allowing towns

to hold town meetings outside the geographic limits of the town if the select board determines that it is not possible to conduct town meetings within the geographic limits of the town that ensures health and safety.

Another key section allows a mayor who is unable to submit an annual budget for fiscal year 2021 to the city council within 170 days after his or her inauguration to submit the budget to the city council within 30 days after the termination of the governor’s declaration of emergency, or on July 31, 2020, whichever is earlier.

Supporters said it is essential to provide municipalities with the flexibility they need to run their government. They said the bill would allow cities and towns to function while still being fiscally responsible and maintaining the health and safety of voters.