Texas Senate Bill SB117

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Relating to the Internet broadcast of open meetings of the Texas Workforce Commission.

Impact

The implementation of SB117 is expected to significantly improve public access to the activities of the Texas Workforce Commission. By broadcasting meetings live and maintaining an archive, citizens can stay informed about the commission's initiatives, policies, and decisions. This move is likely to foster greater community engagement and accountability, as stakeholders can easily follow discussions that may impact employment and workforce development policies in the state.

Summary

SB117 aims to enhance transparency in government operations by mandating the Texas Workforce Commission to broadcast its open meetings over the internet. The bill stipulates that each open meeting should include live video and audio streaming accessible via the commission's official website. Furthermore, it requires that these broadcasts be archived and made available for at least two years, thereby ensuring that the public has ongoing access to governmental discussions and decisions.

Contention

While supporters of SB117 argue that it is a positive step towards enhancing transparency and accountability, there may be concerns regarding the costs and resources required for the commission to implement these broadcasting and archiving measures. Additionally, critics might voice skepticism about whether the broadcasts will lead to genuine public engagement or simply serve as a perfunctory fulfillment of legal requirements. The extent to which this bill will affect the nature of discussions within the commission remains to be seen.