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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to electronic communications during a public meeting; |
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creating an offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 551.143, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read |
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as follows: |
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(a) A member or group of members of a governmental body |
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commits an offense if the member or group of members knowingly: |
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(1) conspires to circumvent this chapter by meeting in |
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numbers less than a quorum for the purpose of secret deliberations |
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in violation of this chapter; or |
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(2) transmits an electronic communication during a |
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public meeting. |
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(c) In this section, "electronic communication" includes an |
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e-mail, text message, instant message, or posting on an Internet |
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website. |
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(d) Subsection (a)(2) does not apply to an electronic |
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communication that contains only administrative or ministerial |
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information or that is sent in relation to an emergency situation. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |