BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2508
                                          By: Hunter (Armbrister)
                                                    State Affairs
                                                          5-25-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Some governmental bodies are allowed to conduct open or closed
meetings through the use of a telephone conference call.  The
procedures for meeting by telephone are outlined in Chapter 551 of
the Government Code.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2508 authorizes governmental bodies not otherwise
restricted to hold open or closed meetings by telephone conference
call.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 551F, Government Code, by adding Section
551.125, as follows:

     Sec. 551.125.  OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODY.  (a) Provides that
     this chapter does not prohibit a governmental body from
     holding an open or closed meeting by a telephone conference
     call (call), except as otherwise provided.
     
     (b) Sets forth the only conditions under which a meeting may
       be held by telephone conference call.
       
       (c) Subjects the call to the notice requirements applicable
       to other meetings.
       
       (d) Requires the notice of the call to specify as the
       location of the meeting the location where meetings of the
       governmental body are usually held.
       
       (e) Requires each part of the call that is required to be
       open to the public to be audible to the public at the
       location specified in the notice of the meeting as the
       location of the meeting and to be tape-recorded.  Requires
       the tape recording to be made available to the public.
       
       (f) Requires the location designated in the notice as the
       location of the meeting to provide two-way communication
       during the entire call and the identification of each party
       to the telephone conference to be clearly stated prior to
       speaking.
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.