BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1500 82R7541 RWG-D By: White (Nichols) Open Government 5/18/2011 Engrossed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1500
82R7541 RWG-D By: White (Nichols)
Open Government
5/18/2011
Engrossed
Senate Research Center
H.B. 1500
82R7541 RWG-D
By: White (Nichols)
Open Government
5/18/2011
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current law authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population of 400,000 or more to conduct a closed meeting to deliberate on business and financial issues relating to a contract being negotiated under certain conditions. H.B. 1500 seeks to allow a commissioners court in any county, regardless of population, to conduct such a closed meeting as long as the required conditions are met. H.B. 1500 amends current law relating to allowing the commissioners court of a county to deliberate in a closed meeting regarding business and financial issues related to a contract being negotiated. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 551.0725(a), Government Code, to authorize the commissioners court of a county, rather than the commissioners court of a county with a population of 400,000 or more, to conduct a closed meeting to deliberate business and financial issues relating to a contract being negotiated if, before conducting the closed meeting, the commissioners court votes unanimously that deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the commissioners court in negotiations with a third person, and the attorney advising the commissioners court issues a written determination that deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the commissioners court in negotiations with a third person. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population of 400,000 or more to conduct a closed meeting to deliberate on business and financial issues relating to a contract being negotiated under certain conditions.
H.B. 1500 seeks to allow a commissioners court in any county, regardless of population, to conduct such a closed meeting as long as the required conditions are met.
H.B. 1500 amends current law relating to allowing the commissioners court of a county to deliberate in a closed meeting regarding business and financial issues related to a contract being negotiated.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 551.0725(a), Government Code, to authorize the commissioners court of a county, rather than the commissioners court of a county with a population of 400,000 or more, to conduct a closed meeting to deliberate business and financial issues relating to a contract being negotiated if, before conducting the closed meeting, the commissioners court votes unanimously that deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the commissioners court in negotiations with a third person, and the attorney advising the commissioners court issues a written determination that deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the commissioners court in negotiations with a third person.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.