TITLE: Relating to the authority of certain water planning entities to hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call.

SUMMARY: Relating to the authority of certain water planning entities to hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the authority of certain water planning entities to hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 16.052, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (e) The council and any committee or subcommittee of the council may hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call. A meeting held by telephone conference call is subject to the requirements of Sections 551.125(c)-(f), Government Code. A meeting held by videoconference call is subject to the requirements of Section 551.127, Government Code. SECTION 2. Section 16.053(h)(12), Water Code, is amended to read as follows: (12) Each regional water planning group and any committee or subcommittee of a regional water planning group is [are] subject to Chapters 551 and 552, Government Code. A regional water planning group and any committee or subcommittee of the group may hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call. A meeting held by telephone conference call is subject to the requirements of Sections 551.125(c)-(f), Government Code. A meeting held by videoconference call is subject to the requirements of Section 551.127, Government Code. SECTION 3. Section 16.062(l), Water Code, is amended to read as follows: (l) Each flood planning group and any committee or subcommittee of a flood planning group is subject to Chapters 551 and 552, Government Code. A flood planning group and any committee or subcommittee of the group may hold an open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call. A meeting held by telephone conference call is subject to the requirements of Sections 551.125(c)-(f), Government Code. A meeting held by videoconference call is subject to the requirements of Section 551.127, Government Code. SECTION 4. Section 36.108(e), Water Code, is amended to read as follows: (e) Except as provided by this section, a joint meeting under this section must be held in accordance with Chapter 551, Government Code. Each district shall comply with Chapter 552, Government Code. The district representatives may hold a joint meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call. A meeting held by telephone conference call is subject to the requirements of Sections 551.125(c)-(f), Government Code. A meeting held by videoconference call is subject to the requirements of Section 551.127, Government Code. The district representatives may elect one district to be responsible for providing the notice of a joint meeting that this section would otherwise require of each district in the management area. Notice of a joint meeting must be provided at least 10 days before the date of the meeting by: (1) providing notice to the secretary of state; (2) providing notice to the county clerk of each county located wholly or partly in a district that is located wholly or partly in the management area; and (3) posting notice at a place readily accessible to the public at the district office of each district located wholly or partly in the management area. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.