Bill Caption

Relating to certain meetings of a commissioners court during a disaster or emergency.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 62 would allow commissioners courts in counties declared by the Governor to be under a state of disaster or emergency and in which transportation is difficult as a result to hold meetings which do not comply with open meetings requirements of the Government Code in limited circumstances.

Meetings would only be authorized to be held in this manner to deliberate matters that require an immediate response. Commissioners courts would not be allowed to vote or take final action during meetings that this bill applies to and would be required to record or keep minutes of the meeting to be publicly released when practicable.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would ensure that county commissioners courts would be able to hold meetings necessary to assess public safety conditions in specific instances of emergency or disaster, which promotes efficiency in government when it is most needed. However, this does diminish transparency which is inconsistent with limited government. For these reasons we remain neutral on HB 62.