SRC-JRN H.B. 3448 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3448 By: Jones, Jesse (Carona) State Affairs 5-10-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the attorney general has ruled that a commissioners court must debate the appointment of members of unpaid advisory boards in open court. Some persons qualified to serve on county advisory boards do not do so because they do not want the merits or politics of their appointments debated in open court. This bill allows a commissioners court to debate the appointment of members to an advisory board in closed session. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3448 allows a commissioners court to debate the appointment of members to an advisory board in closed session. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 551D, Government Code, by adding Section 551.0745, as follows: Sec. 551.0745. PERSONNEL MATTERS AFFECTING COUNTY ADVISORY BODY; CLOSED MEETING. Provides that this chapter does not require the commissioners court of a county to conduct an open meeting to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a member of an advisory body, or to hear a complaint or charge against a member of an advisory body. Provides that Subsection (a) does not apply if the individual who is the subject of the deliberation or hearing requests a public hearing. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.