83(R) HB 2934 - Introduced version

TO:	Honorable Linda Harper-Brown, Chair, House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform

FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB2934 by Hunter (Relating to electronic communications during a public meeting and the definitions of public information and official business under the public information law; creating an offense.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Government Code, Chapters 551 and 552 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 information related administrative, familial, ministerial or emergency matters. The bill would change the definition of public information to include communications done on a device provided by the governmental entity or used by an official or employee in completing official duties. 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.

Multiple agencies including the Office of the Attorney General, the General Land Office, the Secretary of State and the Railroad Commission anticipate any additional work resulting from the passage of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within current resources.

The bill would take effect January 1, 2014.

The bill would create a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of $50 to $100, confinement in the county jail for one to six months, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 31, 2013