By:  Deuell                                                       S.B. No. 511


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to public testimony at regular meetings of the governing 
board of a general academic teaching institution.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 51.355 to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.355.  PUBLIC TESTIMONY AT CERTAIN MEETINGS OF 
GOVERNING BOARDS OF GENERAL ACADEMIC TEACHING INSTITUTIONS.  
(a)  In this section, "general academic teaching institution" has 
the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
	(b)  The governing board of each general academic teaching 
institution or of a university system that includes one or more 
component general academic teaching institutions shall adopt a 
policy that allows the public to present, for a reasonable amount of 
time and for any item on the agenda, both written and oral testimony 
at a regular meeting of the board.
	(c)  The governing board shall consider the public testimony 
presented to the board on an issue before making a decision on the 
issue.
	SECTION 2.  The governing board of each general academic 
teaching institution or university system shall adopt the policy 
required by Section 51.355, Education Code, as added by this Act, 
not later than October 1, 2005.
	SECTION 3.  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, 2005.