81R11803 JRD-F
By: Strama H.B. No. 3298
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the requirement to post notice of the subject of a
meeting under the open meetings law as it relates to informal
discussion of a social, ceremonial, or community event.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 551, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 551.0415 to read as follows:
Sec. 551.0415. INFORMAL DISCUSSION OF SOCIAL, CEREMONIAL,
OR COMMUNITY EVENT. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 551.041 and
551.042, a quorum of a governmental body may informally discuss a
social, ceremonial, or community event during a meeting without
having given notice of the subject of the discussion as required by
this subchapter if:
(1) the informal discussion concerns matters
unrelated to public business conducted by the governmental body;
and
(2) the quorum of the governmental body complies with
Section 551.042 with regard to any public business incidental to
the social, ceremonial, or community event that arises during the
discussion.
(b) The following matters are considered unrelated to
public business for purposes of Subsection (a)(1):
(1) expressions of condolence;
(2) a reminder about an upcoming event sponsored by
the governmental body;
(3) an honorary or salutary recognition of a public
official, public employee, or other citizen, except that a
discussion regarding a change in the status of a person's public
office or public employment is not an honorary or salutary
recognition for purposes of this subdivision; and
(4) a discussion regarding a public official's
attendance at an upcoming social, ceremonial, or community event.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.