HBA-ALS H.B. 595 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 595
By: Maxey
State Affairs
2/11/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, testing committees and other entities that approve the
contents of licensing examinations are required to deliberate a test item
and information relating to a test item in an open meeting.  Therefore,
potential test-takers may obtain advance access to test questions.  H.B.
595 allows testing committees and other entities that approve the contents
of a licensing examination to deliberate a test item or information
relating to a test item in a closed session. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 551, Government Code, by adding
Section 551.086, as follows: 

Sec.  551.086.  DELIBERATION REGARDING TEST ITEM.  Provides that a
governmental body is not required to conduct an open meeting to deliberate
a test item or information related to a test item if the governmental body
believes it may be included in a test administered by the governmental body
to persons seeking to obtain or renew a license, certificate, or permission
that is necessary to engage in an activity. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause. 
                       Effective date: upon passage.