BWH C.S.H.B. 3448 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


COUNTY AFFAIRS
C.S.H.B. 3448
By: Jones, Jesse
4-22-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 

The attorney general has ruled that a Commissioners Court must debate the
appointment of members of unpaid advisory boards in open court.  Many
qualified persons choose not to serve on County advisory bodies because
they do not want the merits or politics of their appointments debated in
open court.  Counties are currently allowed to hold these discussions in
closed session when dealing with paid employees and elected officials. 

PURPOSE

House Bill 3448 would allow a Commissioners Court to debate the
appointment of members to advisory boards in closed session as is
currently allowed for personnel actions taken by the county.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 551 of the Government Code by
adding Section 551.0745 to allow a commissioners court to discuss the
appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or
dismissal of a member of an advisory body in closed session at the request
of the prospective appointee. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute deletes SECTION 1 of the original bill and substitutes
language that allows discussions concerning prospective appointees to an
advisory body as well as current appointees to be held in closed sessions.
This practice is currently allowed for discussions concerning paid
employees and elected officials.