BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1732
86R3186 SRS-D	By: Paxton
	Business & Commerce
	4/14/2019
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently certain water districts are not required to post the audio or video recordings of their open meetings. Allowing ease of access to the public concerning these expansive water districts will better allow transparency, accountability, and greater involvement of the local governmental entities and citizens. 

 

S.B. 1732 amends Chapter 551  of the Government Code and requires water districts whose territory includes three counties to make the audio and video recordings of their open meetings available on the Internet.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1732 amends current law relating to a requirement that certain water districts make audio and video recordings of open meetings available on the Internet.

 

Support:

 

• City of Plano (Plano city manager)

 

•  City of Mesquite

 

The North Texas Municipal Water District, which would be directly affected by this legislation, is supportive of the bill.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1732 amends current law relating to a requirement that certain water districts make audio and video recordings of open meetings available on the Internet.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 551.128(a) and (b-1), Government Code, as follows:

 

(a) Defines "Internet" to mean the largest nonproprietary cooperative public computer network, popularly known as the Internet, and defines "water district" to have the meaning assigned by Section 551.131(a) (relating to defining "water district" to mean a river authority, groundwater conservation district, water control and improvement district, or other district).

 

(b-1) Adds a water district whose territory includes land in three or more counties to a list of certain political entities that are required to make video and audio recordings of open meetings available on the Internet.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.