By: Deuell S.B. No. 511
(In the Senate - Filed February 15, 2005; February 28, 2005,
read first time and referred to Subcommittee on Higher Education;
March 14, 2005, reported favorably to Committee on Education;
March 29, 2005, reported favorably from Committee on Education by
the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; March 29, 2005, sent to
printer.)
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.
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