TITLE: Relating to the attendance by a quorum of a governmental body at certain candidate events under the open meetings law.

SUMMARY: Relating to the attendance by a quorum of a governmental body at certain candidate events under the open meetings law.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the attendance by a quorum of a governmental body at certain candidate events under the open meetings law. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 551.001(4), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (4) "Meeting" means: (A) a deliberation between a quorum of a governmental body, or between a quorum of a governmental body and another person, during which public business or public policy over which the governmental body has supervision or control is discussed or considered or during which the governmental body takes formal action; or (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 (iv) at which the members receive information from, give information to, ask questions of, or receive questions from any third person, including an employee of the governmental body, about the public business or public policy over which the governmental body has supervision or control. The term does not include the gathering of a quorum of a governmental body at a social function unrelated to the public business that is conducted by the body, [or] the attendance by a quorum of a governmental body at a regional, state, or national convention or workshop, ceremonial event, or press conference, or the attendance by a quorum of a governmental body at a candidate forum, appearance, or debate to inform the electorate, if formal action is not taken and any discussion of public business is incidental to the social function, convention, workshop, ceremonial event, [or] press conference,forum, appearance, or debate.The term includes a session of a governmental body. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.