81R31049 JRD-F
By: Howard of Fort Bend H.B. No. 3943
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3943:
By: Solomons C.S.H.B. No. 3943
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 the requirement relates to
reports about items of community interest at a city council
meeting.
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. GOVERNING BODY OF MUNICIPALITY: REPORTS
ABOUT ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST REGARDING WHICH NO ACTION WILL BE
TAKEN. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 551.041 and 551.042, a quorum
of the governing body of a municipality may receive from municipal
staff and a member of the governing body may make a report about
items of community interest during a meeting of the governing body
without having given notice of the subject of the report as required
by this subchapter if no action is taken and, except as provided by
Section 551.042, possible action is not discussed regarding the
information provided in the report.
(b) For purposes of Subsection (a), "items of community
interest" includes:
(1) expressions of thanks, congratulations, or
condolence;
(2) information regarding holiday schedules;
(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;
(4) a reminder about an upcoming event organized or
sponsored by the governing body;
(5) information regarding a social, ceremonial, or
community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the
governing body that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a
member of the governing body or an official or employee of the
municipality; and
(6) announcements involving the public health and
safety of people in the municipality.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.