BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2381
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Chapter 551, Government Code, also known as Texas Open Meetings Act, provides that meetings of governmental bodies must be open to the public, except for expressly authorized executive sessions. H.B. 2381 permits counties to utilize the Internet as an option in addition to traditional courthouse postings for notices regarding public meetings of a county or water district. This bill does not require counties to utilize the Internet for posting of notices.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 551.043, Government Code, as follows:
(a) Creates this subsection from existing text.
(b) Sets forth certain guidelines for governmental bodies if this chapter specifically requires or allows a governmental body to post notice of a meeting on the Internet.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 551.049, Government Code, to authorize a county governmental body to post notice of each meeting on the county's official Internet website.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 551.053, Government Code, as follows:
(a) Authorizes the governing body of a water district or other district or political subdivision that extends into four or more counties to post notice of each meeting on the official Internet website of the district or political subdivision. Makes nonsubstantive and conforming changes.
(b) Makes a conforming change.
(c) Authorizes a county clerk to post certain notices on the county's official Internet website. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 551.054, Government Code, as follows:
(a) Authorizes the governing body of a water district or other district or political subdivision that extends into fewer than four counties to post notice of each meeting on the official Internet website of the district or political subdivision. Makes nonsubstantive and conforming changes.
(b) Makes a conforming change.
(c) Authorizes a county clerk to post certain notices on the county's official Internet website. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2005.