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.