By:  Marchant, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Van de Putte)             H.B. No. 2004
	(In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2003; 
May 13, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on State 
Affairs; May 16, 2003, rereferred to Committee on Intergovernmental 
Relations; May 22, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable 
Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 0; 
May 22, 2003, sent to printer.)


COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 2004                                   By:  Wentworth


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to allowing a commissioners court 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.  COMMISSIONERS COURTS: DELIBERATION 
REGARDING CONTRACT BEING NEGOTIATED; CLOSED MEETING.  The 
commissioners court of a county 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.



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