BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1440

By: Campbell

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the requirements of the open meetings law are sometimes inconsistent with ensuring that the electorate is informed. S.B. 1440 seeks to address this problem by permitting the attendance by a quorum of a governmental body at certain candidate events under the open meetings law.

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

S.B. 1440 amends the Government Code to establish that the term "meeting" for purposes of state open meetings law does not include the attendance by a quorum of a governmental body at a candidate forum, appearance, or debate to inform the electorate if formal action is not taken and if any discussion of public business is incidental to the forum, appearance, or debate.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.