Bill: HB 889, 83(R) - 2013

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral

Author(s)

Pat Fallon

Bill Caption

Relating to the requirement that certain governmental bodies broadcast meetings on the Internet.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Summary: HB 889 would require a county commissioners court, elected school district board of trustees, or an elected governing body of a home ruled municipality, if they reside in a county, municipality, or school district, to make audio and video recordings of each regularly scheduled open meeting. They would be required to put these recordings on a website within one week of their recording, and they would be required to maintain these recordings for two years. These bodies are exempt from these requirements if the failure occurs due to a catastrophe or technical breakdown.

Analysis: HB 889 limits government by promoting transparency. HB 889, by requiring these governing units to record and display regularly scheduled open meetings on the internet, gives interested Texans access to information given or contained in these meetings without having to physically attend them. We support HB 889.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 04:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/83r/hb889?print_view=true