SRC-LBB S.B. 1214 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1214
78R6076 JRD-DBy: Van de Putte
State Affairs
4/15/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law provides exceptions for the Open Meetings Act to allow for a
governmental body to meet in closed session to discuss legal points of a
contract, real estate contracts, and gifts or donations if the
deliberations in public would have detrimental effect on the position of
the entity in negotiations. As proposed, S.B. 1214 authorizes a
governmental body to deliberate in a closed meeting regarding the business
and financial considerations of a proposed contract. 

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 Subchapter D, Chapter 551, Government Code, by adding
Section 551.0725, as follows: 

Sec. 551.0725.  DELIBERATION REGARDING PROPOSED CONTRACT; CLOSED MEETING.
Authorizes a governmental body to conduct a closed meeting to deliberate
the business and financial considerations relating to a proposed contract
if deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the
position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.