BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3047

By: Dale

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that state open meetings law is unclear as to whether a governmental body may continue to meet if a quorum is present but certain members participating via videoconference lose the connection producing the videoconference capability. H.B. 3047 seeks to clarify that such a meeting is authorized to continue so long as a quorum is present.

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. 3047 reenacts and amends provisions of the Government Code as amended by Chapters 159 (S.B. 984) and 685 (H.B. 2414), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013 to conform to the changes made by Chapter 159 (S.B. 984), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013. The bill requires a member of a governmental body who participates in a meeting by videoconference call to be considered absent from any portion of the meeting during which audio or video communication with the member is lost or disconnected and conditions continuance of the meeting on a quorum of the body remaining present at the meeting location or, if applicable, continuing to participate as provided by state law for a meeting of a state governmental body or a governmental body that extends into three or more counties held by videoconference.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.