403.5272  Local governments; informational public meetings.--

(1)  Local governments may hold informational public meetings in addition to the hearings specifically authorized by this act on any matter associated with the transmission line proceeding. Such informational public meetings should be held no later than 80 days after the application is filed. The purpose of an informational public meeting is for the local government to further inform the general public about the transmission line proposed, obtain comments from the public, and formulate its recommendation with respect to the proposed transmission line.

(2)  Informational public meetings shall be held solely at the option of each local government. It is the legislative intent that local governments attempt to hold such public meetings. Parties to the proceedings under this act shall be encouraged to attend; however, no party shall be required to attend such informational public hearings.

(3)  The failure to hold an informational public meeting or the procedure used for the informational public meeting shall not be grounds for the alteration of any time limitation in this act pursuant to s. 403.528 or grounds to deny or condition certification.