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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the requirement to post notice of the subject of a |
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meeting under the open meetings law as it relates to informal |
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discussion of a social, ceremonial, or community event. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 551, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 551.0415 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 551.0415. INFORMAL DISCUSSION OF SOCIAL, CEREMONIAL, |
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OR COMMUNITY EVENT. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 551.041 and |
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551.042, a quorum of a governmental body may informally discuss a |
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social, ceremonial, or community event during a meeting without |
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having given notice of the subject of the discussion as required by |
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this subchapter if: |
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(1) the informal discussion concerns matters |
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unrelated to public business conducted by the governmental body; |
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and |
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(2) the quorum of the governmental body complies with |
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Section 551.042 with regard to any public business incidental to |
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the social, ceremonial, or community event that arises during the |
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discussion. |
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(b) The following matters are considered unrelated to |
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public business for purposes of Subsection (a)(1): |
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(1) expressions of condolence; |
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(2) a reminder about an upcoming event sponsored by |
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the governmental body; |
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(3) an honorary or salutary recognition of a public |
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official, public employee, or other citizen, except that a |
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discussion regarding a change in the status of a person's public |
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office or public employment is not an honorary or salutary |
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recognition for purposes of this subdivision; and |
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(4) a discussion regarding a public official's |
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attendance at an upcoming social, ceremonial, or community event. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |