The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to allow the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel to establish a quorum, hold a meeting, and vote by telephone conference call, videoconferencing, or other similiar telecommunication method, if any member of the panel is physically present at a meeting.  The bill would take effect immediately if receiving a vote of two-thirds of all members of each house, or September 1, 2005.

For purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel is a "governmental body", as defined by Government Code Section 551.001(3), and is subject to the requirements of the Open Meetings Act.  Because the bill would expressly except the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel from the requirements of Sections 551.125 and 551.127, Government Code, relating to telephone and videoconference calls, an impact to the Open Meetings Act is anticipated.