(a-2) A member of a governmental body who participates in a meeting as provided by Subsection (a-1) shall be counted as present at the meeting for all purposes. 3, eff. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Sec. Reenacted by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, eff. (a) A state governmental body shall provide notice of each meeting to the secretary of state. Sec. The information below details Neb. 11.011, eff. Sec. The Texas Open Meetings Act Made Easy . 14, eff. This chapter does not require a governmental body to conduct an open meeting: (1) to discuss or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and with which the governmental body is conducting economic development negotiations; or. 1182), Sec. 268, Sec. 1, eff. 3674), Sec. 1046, Sec. Aug. 30, 1999. (b) Directory information about a public school student is considered to be personally identifiable information about the student for purposes of Subsection (a) only if a parent or guardian of the student, or the student if the student has attained 18 years of age, has informed the school board, the school district, or a school in the school district that the directory information should not be released without prior consent. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 3, eff. September 1, 2019. 11.120, eff. 1287, Sec. 9.012, eff. 3, eff. 925 (S.B. 551.103. Closing a Meeting Public bodies must follow certain requirements when closing a meeting. May 18, 2013. May 27, 2003. June 17, 2011. (3) if the governmental body makes a good-faith attempt to continuously post the notice on the Internet during the prescribed period, the notice physically posted at the location prescribed by this chapter must be readily accessible to the general public during normal business hours. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. (b) A meeting held by telephone conference call authorized by this section may be held only if a quorum of the governing board is physically present at the location where meetings of the board are usually held. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 551.003. Tenn. Code Ann. (b) For purposes of Subsection (a), "items of community interest" includes: (1) expressions of thanks, congratulations, or condolence; (2) information regarding holiday schedules; (3) an honorary or salutary recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen, except that a discussion regarding a change in the status of a person's public office or public employment is not an honorary or salutary recognition for purposes of this subdivision; (4) a reminder about an upcoming event organized or sponsored by the governing body; (5) information regarding a social, ceremonial, or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the governing body that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the governing body or an official or employee of the political subdivision; and. 1154), Sec. The Open Meetings Act contains more than 25 exceptions to the requirement that meetings be open. 25.071, eff. In the event that a staff member posts a communication to the online message board or similar Internet application, the name and title of the staff member must be posted along with the communication. 551.053. Sept. 1, 1993. Sec. Sec. The OMA declares that it is the intent of the Act that public bodies take action (vote) in open meetings, and that public bodies deliberateopenly. (c) The attorney general may bring an action by mandamus or injunction to stop, prevent, or reverse a violation or threatened violation of Section 551.045(a-1) by members of a governmental body. If I am ordered to leave (or forbidden to enter) this meeting, I ask that you advise me of the statutory authority for your action. 1, eff. 1, eff. See the Events page for upcoming Sunshine Laws Training Sessions. The recording shall be made available to be heard by the public at one or more places designated by the board. 681 (H.B. 4, eff. 976), Sec. The Texas Open Meetings Act now allows for members of a governmental body to attend a public meeting via a video conference call. 18, eff. 685 (H.B. Though the trainings are offered at NO CHARGE, we do ask that you RSVP to Heather Sandoval at roadshows@nmag.gov or by telephone at (505) 717-3581. May 18, 2013. May 18, 2013. January 1, 2006. 87 (S.B. 303 Advanced Notice of Times and Places 25 O.S. (B) except as otherwise provided by this subdivision, a gathering: (i) that is conducted by the governmental body or for which the governmental body is responsible; (ii) at which a quorum of members of the governmental body is present; (iii) that has been called by the governmental body; and. Closed state holidays. Code 4910 (a); See also " No Action Without a Meeting .") Sec. (1) "Public power utility" means an entity providing electric or gas utility services that is subject to the provisions of this chapter. Sec. 551.1283. 462 (S.B. 551.041. 3.06, eff. (f) Each portion of a meeting held by videoconference call that is required to be open to the public shall be visible and audible to the public at the location specified under Subsection (e). 25 O.S. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, eff. 1004, Sec. 551.124. (b) Each part of a public consultation by a governmental body with its attorney in an open meeting of the governmental body under Subsection (a) must be audible to the public at the location specified in the notice of the meeting as the location of the meeting. (a-1) A governmental body may not deliberate or take action on a matter at a meeting for which notice or supplemental notice is posted under Subsection (a) other than: (1) a matter directly related to responding to the emergency or urgent public necessity identified in the notice or supplemental notice of the meeting as provided by Subsection (c); or. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and subject to Subsection (c), a commissioners court to which this section applies may hold an open or closed meeting, including a telephone conference call, solely to deliberate about disaster or emergency conditions and related public safety matters that require an immediate response without complying with the requirements of this chapter, including the requirement to provide notice before the meeting or to first convene in an open meeting. (7) a joint board created under Section 22.074, Transportation Code. (g) A member of a governing board of a junior college district who participates in a board meeting by telephone conference call but is not physically present at the location of the meeting is considered to be absent from the meeting for purposes of Section 130.0845, Education Code. Sec. 551.071. 158, Sec. After completing the training course, you may print your certificate. 551.090. 258 (S.B. (2) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. If an action involving the meeting is brought within that period, the governmental body shall preserve the certified agenda or recording while the action is pending. September 1, 2013. (a) Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, the rules provided by this section apply to competitive matters of a public power utility. 659, Sec. 1, eff. Open Government Hotline (512) 478-6736 Toll Free: (877) 673-6839 Public Information Act Handbook Download the Public Information Act Handbook (PDF) 1969), Sec. June 15, 2007. Sec. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTAL BODY: PLACE OF POSTING NOTICE. June 2, 2003. Exceptions to Agenda Requirements Public Testimony 16 18 18 2. September 1, 2021. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. (e) A meeting held by video conference call is subject to the notice requirements applicable to other meetings. Learn about them here. 2, eff. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. Whenever, a governmental body receives a briefing from staff, a notice of an open meeting must be posted. 2978), Sec. 380 (S.B. (a) This chapter does not prohibit the governing board of a junior college district from holding an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call. 551.048. Excerpt: City of Milan Council Rules of Procedure . Under subsection (1) of this section, the Legislature has imposed only two conditions on the public body's notification method of a public meeting: (1) It must give reasonable advance publicized notice of the time and place of each meeting and (2) it must be recorded in the public body's minutes. 1, eff. 1, eff. (3) the communication is displayed in real time and displayed on the online message board or similar Internet application for no less than 30 days after the communication is first posted. 6, eff. Pre-registration shall be received by the board office staff at least four calendar days prior to the posted meeting date of the presentation. (B) would constitute a deliberation once a quorum of members engaged in the series of communications. 1, eff. The District of Columbia Open Meetings Act (OMA) requires that any gathering of a quorum of a public body where members consider, conduct or advise on public business offer the opportunity for the public to observe the meeting. 3, eff. 2022). 312, Sec. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. May 22, 2007. of Ed., 1975 OK 147, 542 P.2d 1309. . 1, eff. 1640), Sec. 31), Sec. If no principal office, then post at the meeting location Posted on website in accordance with 74 O.S. (b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class B misdemeanor. What should a school board meeting notice contain to comply with the Texas Open . In the next sentence, however, gatherings "for purely ministerial or social purposes" are not considered to be "meetings.". (6) "Quorum" means a majority of a governmental body, unless defined differently by applicable law or rule or the charter of the governmental body. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. (2) question the employees of the Texas growth fund or the third party regarding an investment or potential investment described by Subdivision (1), if disclosure of the information contained in the questions or answers would give advantage to a competitor. - is an important government transparency law that promotes the public's right to have their voice heard on the issues they care about. OMA Resources Open Meetings Act MCL 15.261 Open Meetings Act Handbook Governor's Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting law, G.L. Florida Statute 286.011, the Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, requires that all meetings of state or local governmental boards or commissions be open to the public unless there is a specific statutory exemption. 1, eff. 551.088. DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS; CLOSED MEETING. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. (2) the convening at one location of a quorum of the governing board, the Board for Lease of University Lands, or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, as applicable, is difficult or impossible. (a) A governmental body shall prepare and keep minutes or make a recording of each open meeting of the body. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 551.0015. Annotations. January 1, 2016. (b) A governmental body may have no more than one online message board or similar Internet application to be used for the purposes described in Subsection (a). 1, eff. (1) state the subject of each deliberation; and. (c) The board or a board committee may hold a meeting by telephone conference call only if a quorum of the applicable board or board committee is physically present at one location of the meeting. 361 (S.B. 87 (S.B. (b) Any deliberation of or decision about the subject of the inquiry shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a subsequent meeting. In this chapter, the legislature is exercising its powers to adopt rules to prohibit secret meetings of the legislature, committees of the legislature, and other bodies associated with the legislature, except as specifically permitted in the constitution. 551.074. Sec. The recording shall be made available to the public. 1007 (H.B. (a-1) A member or employee of a governmental body may participate remotely in a meeting of the governmental body by means of a videoconference call if the video and audio feed of the member's or employee's participation, as applicable, is broadcast live at the meeting and complies with the provisions of this section. Sept. 1, 1993. The handbook addresses when the Act applies, what constitutes reasonable notice and the application of the Act to informal gatherings. DEFINITIONS. 14, eff. (a) A governmental body may use a telephone conference call, video conference call, or communications over the Internet to conduct a public consultation with its attorney in an open meeting of the governmental body or a private consultation with its attorney in a closed meeting of the governmental body. 19.01(50), eff. 884 (H.B. (b)(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, all meetings shall be open to the public. CERTIFIED AGENDA OR RECORDING REQUIRED. 1, eff. school district made a good faith attempt to comply with the posting requirements. MINUTES AND RECORDINGS OF OPEN MEETING: PUBLIC RECORD. Sept. 1, 1995. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 551.041 and 551.042, a quorum of the governing body of a municipality or county may receive from staff of the political subdivision and a member of the governing body may make a report about items of community interest during a meeting of the governing body without having given notice of the subject of the report as required by this subchapter if no action is taken and, except as provided by Section 551.042, possible action is not discussed regarding the information provided in the report. 2414), Sec. 690 (H.B. 551.121. GOVERNING BODY OF MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY: REPORTS ABOUT ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST REGARDING WHICH NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. If the problem is not resolved in six hours or less, the meeting must be adjourned. 18.23, eff. recording. DISCLOSURE OF CERTIFIED AGENDA OR RECORDING OF CLOSED MEETING; OFFENSE; PENALTY; CIVIL LIABILITY. 1969), Sec. 2, eff. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 190, Sec. 551.043. 758 (H.B. (c) In this section, "catastrophe" means a condition or occurrence that interferes physically with the ability of a governmental body to conduct a meeting, including: (1) fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or wind, rain, or snow storm; (2) power failure, transportation failure, or interruption of communication facilities; (4) riot, civil disturbance, enemy attack, or other actual or threatened act of lawlessness or violence. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. (1) Pre-registration is available for public presentations through first class mail at P.O. of the Government Code . 551.146. (c) A governmental body may adopt reasonable rules regarding the public's right to address the body under this section, including rules that limit the total amount of time that a member of the public may address the body on a given item. (2) to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, eff. The first 90 minutes of each presentation addresses OMA followed by IPRA, and individuals can attend either or both trainings. 1, eff. 2, eff. 1613), Sec. (M) a board of directors of a reinvestment zone created under Chapter 311, Tax Code. (b) A joint board created under Section 22.074, Transportation Code, shall post notice of each meeting on a physical or electronic bulletin board at a place convenient to the public in the board's administrative offices. 159 (S.B. Sec. September 1, 2017. Sec. Sec. 11), Sec. (a) This section applies only to a governmental body or economic development corporation that maintains an Internet website or for which an Internet website is maintained. 16, eff. The Nebraska Open Meetings Act guarantees that every meeting of a public body shall be open to the public in order that citizens may exercise their democratic privilege of attending and speaking at meetings of public bodies. Complaints about possible violations, or questions pertaining to OMA should be referred to the Open Government Division. (2) indicate each vote, order, decision, or other action taken. 2278), Sec. 104 (S.B. 9.013, eff. 304 Definitions used in Open Meeting Act 25 O.S. Sec. INVESTIGATION; EXCLUSION OF WITNESS FROM HEARING. This chapter does not require the Credit Union Commission to conduct an open meeting to deliberate a matter made confidential by law. 6.006, eff. Updated guidance on holding meetings pursuant to the Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures, Mass. Michigan's Open Meetings Act provides requirements on meeting notices, minutes, and keeping the process open to public participation. 3, eff. (a) In an emergency or when there is an urgent public necessity, the notice of a meeting to deliberate or take action on the emergency or urgent public necessity, or the supplemental notice to add the deliberation or taking of action on the emergency or urgent public necessity as an item to the agenda for a meeting for which notice has been posted in accordance with this subchapter, is sufficient if the notice or supplemental notice is posted for at least one hour before the meeting is convened. SUBCHAPTER F. MEETINGS USING TELEPHONE, VIDEOCONFERENCE, OR INTERNET. COMMISSIONERS COURTS: DELIBERATION REGARDING CONTRACT BEING NEGOTIATED; CLOSED MEETING. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 551.055. 1, eff. How do I get information on registered charities? September 1, 2021. 8, eff. 286), Sec. Third, to conduct such meetings in open session, except where a . These protocols aim to ensure continuity of government operations and transparency in conducting public business when an emergency requires a governing body meeting to Sept. 1, 2001. (b) The board may hold an open meeting by telephone conference call or video conference call in order to consider a higher education impact statement if the preparation of a higher education impact statement by the board is to be provided under the rules of either the house of representatives or the senate. (b) The attendance by a quorum of a governmental body at a meeting of a committee or agency of the legislature is not considered to be a meeting of that governmental body if the deliberations at the meeting by the members of that governmental body consist only of publicly testifying at the meeting, publicly commenting at the meeting, and publicly responding at the meeting to a question asked by a member of the legislative committee or agency. 3, eff. Following a catastrophe or breakdown, a governmental body must make all reasonable efforts to make the required recording available in a timely manner. 87 (S.B. (e) The location of the meeting shall provide two-way communication during the entire telephone conference call meeting, and the identification of each party to the telephone conference shall be clearly stated before the party speaks. 2, eff. The Washington Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), codified in chapter 42.30 RCW, requires that all meetings of governing bodies of public agencies, including cities, counties, and special purpose districts, be open to the public. REGULAR MEETING POSTING REQUIREMENTS Public bodies which have a regular meeting schedule Dist., 572 S.W.3d 294 325 (S.B. This article shall be known and may be cited as the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act." Each board has essentially three duties under the Open Meeting Act. Oklahoma's Open Meetings Act(25 O.S. Minutes must be taken. (f) Each part of the telephone conference call meeting that is required to be open to the public must be: (1) audible to the public at the location specified in the notice of the meeting as the location of the meeting; (2) broadcast over the Internet in the manner prescribed by Section 551.128; and. September 1, 2007. The provisions of the Open Meeting Act contain requirements that: Prohibit the board from taking action on an "item of business" outside of a board meeting. Aug. 30, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 551.0411. 1, eff. The handbook addresses when the Act applies, what constitutes reasonable notice and the application of the Act to informal gatherings. (a) In this section, "water district" means a river authority, groundwater conservation district, water control and improvement district, or other district created under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. Sec. 471), Sec. June 17, 2011. 551.076. If you are interested in a virtual training, please send an email to roadshows@nmag.gov with your contact information. September 1, 2013. Open Records Act and the Kansas Open Meetings Act - are so important. Sept. 1, 1999. Open Government Division Advisory During COVID-19 State of Public Health Emergency. September 1, 2009. 814 (S.B. SCHOOL DISTRICT: PLACE OF POSTING NOTICE. June 17, 2005. DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES OR SECURITY AUDITS; CLOSED MEETING. The certificate must be maintained by the member's governmental body and made available for public inspection upon request. May 23, 2015. 293), Sec. Audio recording of open meetings of the state's political subdivisions are not required to be on the website, but must be otherwise available to the public. 87 (S.B. (2) the disclosure was the result of a mistake of fact concerning the nature or content of the certified agenda or recording. Ordinances, rules, resolutions, regulations, etc., adopted at public meetings Notice Secret voting prohibited. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. Sept. 1, 2003. Who is subject to OMA? For a meeting of the Board for Lease of University Lands, the notice must specify as the location of the meeting a suitable conference or meeting room at The University of Texas System office. ( Civ. 551.022. A governmental body shall give written notice of the date, hour, place, and subject of each meeting held by the governmental body. 42.30.075. The location where the member of the governmental body presiding over the meeting is physically present shall be open to the public during the open portions of the meeting. (d) Subsection (a) does not apply to a consultation with an attorney who is an employee of the governmental body. 3, eff. In this chapter: (1) "Closed meeting" means a meeting to which the public does not have access. 551.0725. (g) The authority provided by this section is in addition to the authority provided by Section 551.125. The head of the board or commission must be physically present in the designated meeting place and the public must be given access to that meeting space. 1367 (H.B. Sept. 1, 1999. (a) This chapter does not require the governing board of a municipal hospital, municipal hospital authority, county hospital, county hospital authority, hospital district created under general or special law, or nonprofit health maintenance organization created under Section 534.101, Health and Safety Code, to conduct an open meeting to deliberate: (1) pricing or financial planning information relating to a bid or negotiation for the arrangement or provision of services or product lines to another person if disclosure of the information would give advantage to competitors of the hospital, hospital district, or nonprofit health maintenance organization; or. September 1, 2017. The Attorney General has the statutory authority to enforce OMA and to ensure that those public meetings covered by OMA are in compliance with state law. (1) authorize the members of a governmental body to conduct a meeting of the governmental body by telephone conference call, video conference call, or communications over the Internet; or. 306 Vote by Electronic or Telephonic Communications, 25 O.S. This . 778 (H.B. DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES OR SECURITY AUDITS; CLOSED MEETING. Sec. Sec. GOVERNING BODY OF CERTAIN WATER DISTRICTS: INTERNET POSTING OF MEETING MATERIALS; RECORDING OF CERTAIN HEARINGS. SUBCHAPTER E. PROCEDURES RELATING TO CLOSED MEETING. 1306), Sec. 21.001(49), eff. Sec. Sec. 551.127. 84-1407 through 84-1414 (2014, Cum. These events are open to all interested members and staff of state and local governments, school boards, commissions, media, and the general public. TIME AND ACCESSIBILITY OF NOTICE; GENERAL RULE. 304 Definitions used in Open Meeting Act, 25 O.S. (a) A school district shall provide special notice of each meeting to any news media that has: (2) agreed to reimburse the district for the cost of providing the special notice. (d) The validity of a posted notice of a meeting or an agenda by a governmental body or economic development corporation subject to this section that made a good faith attempt to comply with the requirements of this section is not affected by a failure to comply with a requirement of this section that is due to a technical problem beyond the control of the governmental body or economic development corporation. September 1, 2019. The attorney general shall attempt to coordinate the training required by this section with training required by other law to the extent practicable. June 21, 2003. 87 (S.B. (b) Notwithstanding Section 551.103(a), Government Code, the commissioners court must make a recording of the proceedings of a closed meeting to deliberate the information. 1084, Sec. 551.126 by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, eff. (8) "Videoconference call" means a communication conducted between two or more persons in which one or more of the participants communicate with the other participants through duplex audio and video signals transmitted over a telephone network, a data network, or the Internet. (a) Section 551.041 does not require a governmental body that recesses an open meeting to the following regular business day to post notice of the continued meeting if the action is taken in good faith and not to circumvent this chapter.