BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2900

By: Fierro

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that because Texas is such a large state it is often difficult and expensive for all members of a commodity producers board to meet in one location at the same time. H.B. 2900 seeks to address this issue by providing for such a board to hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call.

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. 2900 amends the Agriculture Code to authorize a commodity producers board or a committee established by a board to hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call if the convening at one location of a quorum of the board or committee is inconvenient for any member of the board or committee.

H.B. 2900 subjects the meeting to the notice requirements applicable to other meetings. The bill requires notice of the meeting to specify as the location of the meeting the location where meetings of the board or committee, as applicable, are usually held.

H.B. 2900 requires each part of the meeting that is required to be open to the public to be audible to the public at the location specified in the notice as the location of the meeting and requires the audio to be recorded. The bill requires the audio recording to be made available to the public.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.