BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3357

By: Lucio III

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Among the requirements of open meetings law is the requirement that certain governmental bodies post notice of meetings in a place readily accessible to the general public for a certain period of time prior to the meeting and to meet other requirements, including providing notice of a meeting to the appropriate county clerk. Interested parties have explained that the requirement to provide notice to the county clerk is particularly burdensome and suggest that posting meeting notices on a district's website instead would benefit both the public and the district because the public is more likely to look for meeting notices on the district's website than on a bulletin board at a county courthouse. The parties also point out that allowing a district to post notice on its website would be less burdensome than posting with the clerk's office, would save money, and would ensure that timely notice is provided. To achieve these objectives, H.B. 3357 seeks to allow certain governmental bodies to post meeting notices on a website. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3357 amends the Government Code to provide the governing body of a water district or other district or political subdivision the option to post notice of each meeting on the district's or political subdivision's website as an alternative to providing notice of each meeting to the appropriate county clerk for purposes of satisfying the requirements of state open meetings law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.