88R1666 MP-F
By: Paul H.B. No. 3893
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to meetings of the board of directors of the Gulf Coast
Authority.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2.07, Chapter 409, Acts of the 61st
Legislature, Regular Session, 1969, is amended by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) to
read as follows:
(a) The board shall meet regularly as necessary [at least
once each month, and may meet at any other time provided in its
bylaws].
(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, Chapter
49, Water Code, or any other law, the board may hold an open or
closed meeting by telephone conference call, videoconference, or
other similar telecommunication method. The board may use a
telephone conference call, videoconference, or other similar
telecommunication method for purposes of establishing a quorum, for
voting, or for any other meeting purpose.
(e) A meeting held by telephone conference call,
videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method is
subject to the notice requirements applicable to other board
meetings.
(f) The notice of a meeting to be held by telephone
conference call, videoconference, or other similar
telecommunication method must include:
(1) a toll-free telephone number that members of the
public may use to hear and, if applicable, speak at the meeting;
(2) free-of-charge access information for any
audiovisual or audio-only feeds; and
(3) instructions for a member of the public to speak at
the meeting from a remote location.
(g) If the board prepares an agenda packet or other
materials that would have been distributed to members of the public
at a face-to-face meeting, the board shall make the packet or other
materials available electronically.
(h) A meeting held by telephone conference call,
videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method shall
be recorded. The recording shall be made available to the public.
The board shall maintain a copy of the recording for at least one
year after the date of the hearing.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.