Texas House Bill HB479

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 3/25/11
• Voted on by House: 4/8/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/5/11
• Report Pass: 3/24/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/17/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Enrolled: 5/18/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the location of board meetings of certain economic development corporations.

Impact

If enacted, HB 479 would have a positive impact on economic development corporations in smaller counties, allowing them to operate with more autonomy regarding the location of their meetings. By permitting these corporations to meet outside their primary municipalities, the bill may facilitate increased participation from board members who may reside in different parts of the county, ultimately fostering better collaboration and decision-making.

Summary

House Bill 479 seeks to amend the Local Government Code by modifying the location requirements for board meetings of Type A and Type B economic development corporations. Specifically, the bill allows these boards to hold meetings outside of their municipal jurisdictions under certain conditions, particularly in counties with populations of less than 30,000. This change aims to provide greater flexibility for smaller municipalities when it comes to hosting governmental meetings.

Contention

While there may not be significant public opposition documented against HB 479, the bill does raise questions regarding its implications for local governance and transparency. Critics may argue that holding meetings outside the authorizing municipality could hinder public access to these meetings, potentially reducing community involvement in local development decisions. However, supporters contend that the benefits of increased flexibility in meeting locations outweigh these concerns, especially in less populous areas.