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.