By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1499

(In the Senate - Filed March 8, 2007; March 20, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; April 10, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 10, 2007, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1499 By: Ellis

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the meeting notice that a governmental body may post in certain emergency situations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 551.045, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) For purposes of Subsection (b)(2), the sudden relocation of a large number of residents from the area of a declared disaster to a governmental body's jurisdiction is considered a reasonably unforeseeable situation for a reasonable period immediately following the relocation. Notice of an emergency meeting or supplemental notice of an emergency item added to the agenda of a meeting to address a situation described by this subsection must be given to members of the news media as provided by Section 551.047 not later than one hour before the meeting.

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, 2007.

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