BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

S.B. 1906

By: Wentworth

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

S.B. 1906 amends current law relating to certain notice requirements for municipalities and counties under the open meetings law.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 551.0415, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 551.0415.  New heading: GOVERNING BODY OF MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY:  REPORTS ABOUT ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST REGARDING WHICH NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.  (a) Authorizes a quorum of the governing body of a municipality or county, notwithstanding Sections 551.041 (Notice of Meeting Required) and 551.042 (Inquiry Made at Meeting), to receive from staff of the political subdivision, rather than from municipal staff, and a member of the governing body to make a report about items of community interest during a meeting of the governing body without having given notice of the subject of the report as required by this subchapter if no action is taken and, except as provided by Section 551.042, possible action is not discussed regarding the information provided in the report.

(b)  Redefines "items of community interest" for purposes of Subsection (a).

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 551.050, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 551.050.  MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTAL BODY:  PLACE OF POSTING NOTICE.  (a)  Defines, in this section "electronic bulletin board."

(b) Requires a municipal governmental body to post notice of each meeting on a physical or electronic bulletin board at a place convenient to the public in the city hall.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.