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.