78R12287 JRD-F


By:  Marchant, et al.                                             H.B. No. 2004



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to allowing the commissioners court of certain counties to 
deliberate in a closed meeting regarding business and financial 
considerations of a contract being negotiated.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 551, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 551.0725 to read as follows:
	Sec. 551.0725.  CERTAIN COMMISSIONERS COURTS: DELIBERATION 
REGARDING CONTRACT BEING NEGOTIATED; CLOSED MEETING.  The 
commissioners court of a county with a population of 400,000 or more 
may conduct a closed meeting to deliberate business and financial 
issues relating to a contract being negotiated if, before 
conducting the closed meeting:
		(1)  the commissioners court votes unanimously that 
deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on 
the position of the commissioners court in negotiations with a 
third person; and
		(2)  the attorney advising the commissioners court 
issues a written determination that deliberation in an open meeting 
would have a detrimental effect on the position of the 
commissioners court in negotiations with a third person.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.