ADV OM 00-02 (2000).

• Case Date: February 11, 2000
• Court: Rhode Island

Rhode Island Attorney General Opinions 2000. ADV OM 00-02 (2000). State of Rhode IslandDepartment of the Attorney GeneralADV OM 00-02 (2000)ADV OM 00-02 Cranston Democratic City CommitteeAdvisory OM 00-02February 11, 2000John O. Mancini, Esq.McGovern, Noel & Benik, Inc.Providence, RI 02903Re: Cranston Democratic City CommitteeRequest for Open Meetings Act Advisory Opinion Dear Mr. Mancini: Your correspondence to Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse dated February 1, 2000, has been forwarded to me for a response. You request an Open Meetings Act ("OMA") advisory opinion. You relate that the Cranston Democratic City Committee ("CDCC") intends to hold a meeting of all nine (9) elected city council members. As a result of this contemplated meeting, you request that this Department review the OMA "to determine if the CDCC can hold a meeting of the nine elected City Council persons." You state that "[t]he purpose of the meeting is not to discuss any policy or procedure concerning Cranston city government per se." Instead, you represent that "the meeting is strictly a political caucus, where political strategy will be discussed." The OMA mandates that all public bodies hold open meetings, unless specifically exempt. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-3. A public body is defined as "any department, agency, commission, committee, board, council, bureau, or authority or any subdivision thereof of state or municipal government, and shall include all authorities defined in § 42-35-1(b)." See R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-2(c). Nevertheless, the OMA expressly exempts from the definition of a public body "any political party, organization, or unit thereof . . . provided, however, that no such meeting shall be used to circumvent the requirements of [the OMA]." Id. Based upon the facts that you relate, as well as the foregoing definition, we believe that if all nine (9) elected democratic officials convene as a political caucus where political strategy is discussed, the CDCC will not be subject to the OMA. Specifically, John O. Mancini, Esq. ...