Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2977 by Hunter (Relating to electronic communications during a public meeting; creating an offense.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to prohibit the transmission of electronic communications by a member or a group of members of a governmental body during a public meeting, but would exclude the transmission of administrative or ministerial information related to an emergency. The bill would create a misdemeanor offense for a violation punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500; confinement in the county jail for not less than one month or more than six months; or both.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.