By: Campbell S.B. No. 1650
(Burkett)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to Internet broadcasts of open meetings held by
governmental bodies, including regional tollway authorities,
regional mobility authorities, and metropolitan planning
organizations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsection (c), Section 551.128, Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(c) A governmental body that broadcasts a meeting over the
Internet shall establish an Internet site and provide access to the
broadcast, without charge, from that site. The governmental body
shall provide on the Internet site the same notice of the meeting
that the governmental body is required to post under Subchapter C.
The notice on the Internet must be posted within the time required
for posting notice under Subchapter C.
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 366, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 366.263 to read as follows:
Sec. 366.263. INTERNET BROADCAST OF OPEN MEETINGS. In a
manner that complies with Section 551.128(c), Government Code, an
authority shall broadcast over the Internet live video and audio of
each open meeting held by the authority. Subsequently, the
authority shall make available through the authority's Internet
website archived video and audio for each meeting for which live
video and audio was provided under this section.
SECTION 3. Subchapter F, Chapter 370, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 370.263 to read as follows:
Sec. 370.263. INTERNET BROADCAST OF OPEN MEETINGS. In a
manner that complies with Section 551.128(c), Government Code, an
authority shall broadcast over the Internet live video and audio of
each open meeting held by the authority. Subsequently, the
authority shall make available through the authority's Internet
website archived video and audio for each meeting for which live
video and audio was provided under this section. This section does
not apply to an authority composed of three or more counties.
SECTION 4. Subchapter D, Chapter 472, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 472.036 to read as follows:
Sec. 472.036. INTERNET BROADCAST OF OPEN MEETINGS. In a
manner that complies with Section 551.128(c), Government Code, a
metropolitan planning organization shall broadcast over the
Internet live video and audio of each open meeting held by the
organization. Subsequently, the organization shall make available
through the organization's Internet website archived video and
audio for each meeting for which live video and audio was provided
under this section.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an open meeting held on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.