SRC-SEW H.B. 371 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 371
77R2730 JRD-DBy: Glaze (Wentworth)
State Affairs
5/4/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, nonprofit corporations eligible to receive public funding under
the federal community services block grant program and that serve a
geographic area of the state, are subject to the open records law, but are
not subject to the open meetings law. This can create a situation that
allows decisions to be made without the knowledge of, or an opportunity for
input by, interested parties. H.B. 371 subjects these nonprofit
corporations to the open meetings law.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 551.001(3), Government Code, to redefine
"governmental body." 
  
SECTION 2.  Amends Section 552.003(1), Government Code, to redefine
"governmental body." 

SECTION 3.  (a)  Effective date:  September 1, 2001. 

(b)  Provides that the change in law to Section 551.001, Government Code,
made by this Act applies only to a deliberation of the governing body of a
nonprofit corporation that is eligible to receive funds under the federal
community services block grant program and that is authorized by this state
to serve a geographic area of the state that begins on or after September
4, 2001.  Provides that a deliberation of such a governing body that begins
before September 4, 2001, is covered by the applicable law in effect when
the deliberation begins, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.  
 
(c)  Provides that the change in law to Section 552.003, Government Code,
made by this Act applies to information held by a nonprofit corporation
that is eligible to receive funds under the federal community services
block grant program and that is authorized by this state to serve a
geographic area of the state regardless of when the information was
collected or assembled.