Bill: SB 494, 86(R) - 2019

Committee

Senate Business & Commerce

2nd Chamber Committee

House State Affairs

Vote Recommendation

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

Author(s)

Joan Huffman

Co-Author(s)

Judith Zaffirini

Sponsor(s)

Armando Walle

Bill Caption

Relating to certain procedures applicable to meetings under the open meetings law and the disclosure of public information under the public information law in the event of an emergency, urgent public necessity, or catastrophic event.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 494 would make several changes to open meetings law and public information law for governmental bodies impacted by a catastrophe. This bill would decrease from two hours to one hour the time before the convening of a meeting to deliberate or take action on an emergency or urgent public necessity that notice for the meeting must be posted. Special notice of an emergency meeting or the addition of an emergency item given to the news media would be required to be given at least one hour before the meeting is convened. 

This bill would also allow for a temporary suspension of state public information law requirements for a specified period for a governmental body that is currently impacted by a catastrophe that interferes with the body's ability to comply with those requirements. The governmental body would be required to submit notice to the attorney general's office.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral on SB 494 because it does not affect our liberty principles.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 05:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/sb494?print_view=true