Bill Text: TX HB3203 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to recordings of meetings of certain governmental bodies; creating offenses.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-05-01 - Left pending in committee [HB3203 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB3203-Introduced.html
  85R11352 TJB-D
 
  By: Fallon H.B. No. 3203
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to recordings of meetings of certain governmental bodies;
  creating offenses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 551.001, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subdivision (9) to read as follows:
               (9)  "Video recording" means a recording of reasonable
  quality on which a combination of audio and video is recorded.
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 551.021, Government Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 551.021.  MINUTES AND [OR] RECORDING OF OPEN MEETING
  REQUIRED.
         SECTION 3.  Section 551.021(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Section 551.0215, a [A]
  governmental body shall prepare and keep for each open meeting of
  the body:
               (1)  minutes [or make a recording] of the [each open]
  meeting; and
               (2)  either:
                     (A)  a video recording of the meeting; or
                     (B)  a recording of the meeting if the meeting is a
  telephone conference call meeting authorized by Subchapter F or by
  other law [of the body].
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter B, Chapter 551, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 551.0215 to read as follows:
         Sec. 551.0215.  MINUTES OR RECORDING OF OPEN MEETING
  REQUIRED. (a) This section applies only to:
               (1)  a municipal governmental body described by Section
  551.001(3)(C) or (D) for a municipality with a population of less
  than 25,000;
               (2)  a county governmental body described by Section
  551.001(3)(B), (D), (F), or (G) for a county with a population of
  less than 100,000; and
               (3)  a school district board of trustees for a school
  district with a student enrollment of less than 5,000.
         (b)  A governmental body shall prepare and keep minutes or
  make a recording of each open meeting of the body.
         (c)  The minutes must:
               (1)  state the subject of each deliberation; and
               (2)  indicate each vote, order, decision, or other
  action taken.
         SECTION 5.  Subchapter B, Chapter 551, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 551.024 to read as follows:
         Sec. 551.024.  INTERNET ARCHIVE OF RECORDINGS. (a) This
  section does not apply to a governmental body to which Section
  551.0215 applies.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a governmental
  body shall archive and make available on the Internet website of the
  body or the governmental entity to which the body belongs each
  recording of an open meeting required to be recorded under this
  chapter or other law.
         (c)  If neither the governmental body nor the governmental
  entity to which the body belongs maintains an Internet website, the
  body shall archive and make available on an existing Internet
  website, including a publicly accessible video-sharing or social
  networking site, each recording described by Subsection (b). The
  archived recordings must be easily found by searching the name of
  the body on the Internet.
         (d)  A governmental body must archive and make a recording
  described by this section available on the applicable Internet
  website not later than the second business day after the date the
  meeting is held. A governmental body may not remove a recording from
  an Internet website once the recording is made available to the
  public.
         (e)  A governmental body is exempt from the requirements of
  this section to the extent a catastrophe, as defined by Section
  551.0411, or a technical breakdown prevents the body from complying
  with this section. Following the catastrophe or technical
  breakdown, the governmental body shall make all reasonable efforts
  to make the required recording of the open meeting available in a
  timely manner.
         SECTION 6.  Section 551.0725(b), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 551.1035 [551.103(a),
  Government Code], the commissioners court of a county to which that
  section applies must make a recording of the proceedings of a closed
  meeting to deliberate the information.
         SECTION 7.  Section 551.0726, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 551.0726.  TEXAS FACILITIES COMMISSION:  DELIBERATION
  REGARDING CONTRACT BEING NEGOTIATED; CLOSED MEETING. [(a)] The
  Texas Facilities Commission may conduct a closed meeting to
  deliberate business and financial issues relating to a contract
  being negotiated if, before conducting the closed meeting:
               (1)  the commission votes unanimously that
  deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on
  the position of the state in negotiations with a third person; and
               (2)  the attorney advising the commission issues a
  written determination finding that deliberation in an open meeting
  would have a detrimental effect on the position of the state in
  negotiations with a third person and setting forth that finding
  therein.
         [(b)     Notwithstanding Section 551.103(a), the commission
  must make a recording of the proceedings of a closed meeting held
  under this section.]
         SECTION 8.  The heading to Section 551.103, Government Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 551.103.  CERTIFIED AGENDA AND [OR] RECORDING REQUIRED.
         SECTION 9.  Section 551.103, Government Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Section 551.1035, a [A]
  governmental body shall prepare and [either] keep for each closed
  meeting of the body:
               (1)  a certified agenda [or make a recording] of the
  proceedings of the [each closed] meeting; and
               (2)  either:
                     (A)  a video recording of the meeting; or
                     (B)  a recording of the meeting if the meeting is a
  telephone conference call meeting authorized by Subchapter F or by
  other law[, except for a private consultation permitted under
  Section 551.071].
         (e)  Subsection (a) does not apply to a private consultation
  permitted under Section 551.071.
         SECTION 10.  Subchapter E, Chapter 551, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 551.1035 to read as follows:
         Sec. 551.1035.  CERTIFIED AGENDA OR RECORDING REQUIRED.
  (a)  This section applies only to a governmental body to which
  Section 551.0215 applies.
         (b)  A governmental body shall either keep a certified agenda
  or make a recording of the proceedings of each closed meeting.
         (c)  The presiding officer shall certify that an agenda kept
  under Subsection (b) is a true and correct record of the
  proceedings.
         (d)  The certified agenda must include:
               (1)  a statement of the subject matter of each
  deliberation;
               (2)  a record of any further action taken; and
               (3)  an announcement by the presiding officer at the
  beginning and the end of the meeting indicating the date and time.
         (e)  A recording made under Subsection (b) must include
  announcements by the presiding officer at the beginning and the end
  of the meeting indicating the date and time.
         (f)  Subsection (b) does not apply to a private consultation
  permitted under Section 551.071.
         SECTION 11.  Section 551.104, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 551.104.  CERTIFIED AGENDA AND [OR] RECORDING;
  PRESERVATION; DISCLOSURE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection
  (b), a [A] governmental body shall permanently preserve the
  certified agenda and [or] recording of a closed meeting.
         (b)  A governmental body to which Section 511.1035 applies
  shall preserve the certified agenda or recording of a closed
  meeting for at least two years after the date of the meeting. 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.
         (c) [(b)]  In litigation in a district court involving an
  alleged violation of this chapter, the court:
               (1)  is entitled to make an in camera inspection of the
  certified agenda and [or] recording;
               (2)  may admit all or part of the certified agenda and 
  [or] recording as evidence, on entry of a final judgment; and
               (3)  may grant legal or equitable relief it considers
  appropriate, including an order that the governmental body make
  available to the public the certified agenda and [or] recording of
  any part of a meeting that was required to be open under this
  chapter.
         (d) [(c)]  The certified agenda and [or] recording of a
  closed meeting are [is] available for public inspection and copying
  only under a court order issued under Subsection (c)(3) [(b)(3)].
         SECTION 12.  Section 551.121(f), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (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; and
               (2)  broadcast over the Internet in the manner
  prescribed by Section 551.128[; and
               [(3)     recorded and made available to the public in an
  online archive located on the Internet website of the entity
  holding the meeting].
         SECTION 13.  Section 551.122(d), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  Each part of the telephone conference call meeting that
  is required to be open to the public shall be audible to the public
  at the location where the quorum is present [and shall be recorded.
  The recording shall be made available to the public].
         SECTION 14.  Section 551.123, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 551.123.  TEXAS BOARD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. [(a)] The
  Texas Board of Criminal Justice may hold an open or closed emergency
  meeting by telephone conference call.
         [(b)     The portion of the telephone conference call meeting
  that is open shall be recorded. The recording shall be made
  available to be heard by the public at one or more places designated
  by the board.]
         SECTION 15.  Section 551.126(d), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  A meeting held by video conference call is subject to
  the notice requirements applicable to other meetings. In addition,
  a meeting held by video conference call shall:
               (1)  be visible and audible to the public at the
  location specified in the notice of the meeting as the location of
  the meeting; and
               (2)  [be recorded by audio and video; and
               [(3)]  have two-way audio and video communications with
  each participant in the meeting during the entire meeting.
         SECTION 16.  Section 551.1281(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The governing board of a general academic teaching
  institution or of a university system that includes one or more
  component general academic teaching institutions, for any
  regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board for which notice
  is required under this chapter, shall:
               (1)  post as early as practicable in advance of the
  meeting on the Internet website of the institution or university
  system, as applicable, any written agenda and related supplemental
  written materials provided to the governing board members in
  advance of the meeting by the institution or system for the members'
  use during the meeting; and
               (2)  broadcast the meeting, other than any portions of
  the meeting closed to the public as authorized by law, over the
  Internet in the manner prescribed by Section 551.128[; and
               [(3)     record the broadcast and make that recording
  publicly available in an online archive located on the
  institution's or university system's Internet website].
         SECTION 17.  Section 551.1282(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A governing board to which this section applies, for any
  regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board for which notice
  is required under this chapter, shall:
               (1)  post as early as practicable in advance of the
  meeting on the Internet website of the district any written agenda
  and related supplemental written materials provided by the district
  to the board members for the members' use during the meeting; and
               (2)  broadcast the meeting, other than any portions of
  the meeting closed to the public as authorized by law, over the
  Internet in the manner prescribed by Section 551.128[; and
               [(3)     record the broadcast and make that recording
  publicly available in an online archive located on the district's
  Internet website].
         SECTION 18.  Section 551.130(e), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (e)  The location where a quorum is physically present must
  be open to the public during the open portions of a telephone
  conference call meeting. The open portions of the meeting must be
  audible to the public at the location where the quorum is present
  [and be recorded at that location. The recording shall be made
  available to the public].
         SECTION 19.  Section 551.131(e), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (e)  A meeting held by video conference call is subject to
  the notice requirements applicable to other meetings. In addition,
  a meeting held by video conference call shall:
               (1)  be visible and audible to the public at the
  location specified in the notice of the meeting as the location of
  the meeting; and
               (2)  [be recorded by audio and video; and
               [(3)]  have two-way audio and video communications with
  each participant in the meeting during the entire meeting.
         SECTION 20.  Section 551.142(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A [An interested] person, including a member of the news
  media, may bring an action by mandamus or injunction to stop,
  prevent, or reverse a violation or threatened violation of this
  chapter [by members of a governmental body].
         SECTION 21.  The heading to Section 551.145, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 551.145.  CLOSED MEETING WITHOUT CERTIFIED AGENDA OR
  RECORDING; OFFENSE[; PENALTY].
         SECTION 22.  Section 551.145(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A member of a governmental body commits an offense if
  the member participates in a closed meeting of the [governmental]
  body knowing that a certified agenda of the [closed] meeting is not
  being kept or that a recording required by this chapter or other law
  of the [closed] meeting is not being made.
         SECTION 23.  Subchapter G, Chapter 551, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 551.147 and 551.148 to read as follows:
         Sec. 551.147.  OPEN MEETING WITHOUT RECORDING; OFFENSE. (a)
  A member of a governmental body commits an offense if the member
  participates in an open meeting of the body knowing that a recording
  required by this chapter or other law of the meeting is not being
  made.
         (b)  An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class C
  misdemeanor.
         Sec. 551.148.  FAILURE TO ARCHIVE RECORDING; OFFENSE.  (a) A
  member of a governmental body commits an offense if the member
  knowingly fails to ensure that a recording of an open meeting of the
  body is made available and maintained on the Internet if required,
  and as provided, by this chapter.
         (b)  An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class C
  misdemeanor.
         SECTION 24.  Section 7.106(b), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  In a manner that complies with Section 551.128,
  Government Code, the agency shall broadcast over the Internet live
  video and audio of each open meeting held by the board.
  [Subsequently, the agency shall make available through the agency's
  Internet website archived video and audio for each meeting for
  which live video and audio was provided under this subsection.]
         SECTION 25.  Section 11.1513(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The board of trustees may accept or reject the
  superintendent's recommendation regarding the selection of
  district personnel and shall include the board's acceptance or
  rejection in, as applicable, the minutes, recording, or [of the
  board's meeting, as required under Section 551.021, Government
  Code, in the] certified agenda [or tape recording required under
  Section 551.103, Government Code, or in the recording] required
  under Chapter 551 [Section 551.125 or 551.127], Government Code[,
  as applicable].  If the board rejects the superintendent's
  recommendation, the superintendent shall make alternative
  recommendations until the board accepts a recommendation.
         SECTION 26.  Section 418.183(f), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (f)  A governmental body subject to Chapter 551 is not
  required to conduct an open meeting to deliberate information to
  which this section applies. Notwithstanding Section 551.1035, a 
  [551.103(a), the] governmental body to which that section applies 
  must make a [tape] recording of the proceedings of a closed meeting
  to deliberate the information.
         SECTION 27.  Section 116.006(b), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Section 551.125, Government Code, applies to a meeting
  held by conference call under this section, except that Section
  551.125(b), Government Code, does not apply. The council shall
  record each meeting held by conference call and make the recording
  available to the public.
         SECTION 28.  Section 370.262(d), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  Each part of the telephone conference call meeting that
  by law must be open to the public shall be audible to the public at
  the location specified in the notice [and shall be tape-recorded or
  documented by written minutes. On conclusion of the meeting, the
  tape recording or the written minutes of the meeting shall be made
  available to the public].
         SECTION 29.  Section 8(c), Chapter 1507 (S.B. 456), Acts of
  the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999 (Article 5190.14,
  Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  Chapter 551, Government Code, does not apply to a
  meeting of a subcommittee of the governing body of a local
  organizing committee if:
               (1)  the subcommittee consists of not more than five
  members;
               (2)  the meeting is not held in a public building;
               (3)  the subcommittee makes a tape recording of the
  proceedings of the meeting [in compliance with Section 551.103,
  Government Code,] and the local organizing committee preserves the
  tape recording for two years from the date the recording is made;
               (4)  the subcommittee does not discuss or decide any
  financial matters during the meeting; and
               (5)  any decision made by the subcommittee will not
  become effective without being reviewed and officially adopted by
  the governing body of the local organizing committee at a meeting
  held in compliance with Chapter 551, Government Code.
         SECTION 30.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only
  to a meeting held or a recording required to be made on or after
  September 1, 2017. A meeting held or a recording required to be made
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 31.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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