New Bills Clarify Texas, Local Government Transparency Laws
New legislation passed to clarify and strengthen transparency in the state already is taking effect with several more bills to become law, effective September 1.
A Texas Open Meeting Act law on what constitutes a walking quorum took effect in June immediately after Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 1640 and other bills that support the Texas Public Information Act also will take effect soon.
SB 944 removes the “custodian loophole” that would often stymie information requesters from receiving government records stored in the private electronic accounts of public officials. SB 943 restores public access to financial records associated with public funds spent with private companies.
HB 2840 enables citizens to address governing bodies during open meetings on a specific agenda item before or during consideration of the item.
Source: Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
