TITLE: Relating to board of directors meeting locations of certain special districts.

SUMMARY: Relating to board of directors meeting locations of certain special districts.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to board of directors meeting locations of certain special districts. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 49.062(b-1), Water Code, is amended to read as follows: (b-1) If the board of [In this subsection, "rural area district" means] a district in which more than half of the district's projected retail water or sewer connections are active [and that is not wholly or partly located in a county that as of the 2010 Census had a population of 800,000 or more or bordered a county with a population of 800,000 or more. If the board of a rural area district] conducts meetings at least quarterly, the board shall conduct a meeting at least once per quarter: (1) at a designated meeting location:(A) inside the district;(B) [or] within 10 miles of the boundary of the district;or (C) if [at least once per quarter. If] the board determines that it is not practical to meet inside the district or within 10 miles of the boundary of the district, [the district may conduct the quarterly meeting] at another designated meeting place in the county in which the district is located;or (2) by telephone conference call or video conference call, as provided by Section 49.064(b).SECTION 2. Section 49.064, Water Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 49.064. MEETINGS. (a) The board shall hold such regular and special meetings as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the district's business. Except as provided by Subsection (b), all [All] meetings shall be conducted in accordance with [the open meetings law] Chapter 551, Government Code. A meeting of a committee of the board, or a committee composed of representatives of more than one board, where less than a quorum of any one board is present is not subject to the provisions of [the open meetings law] Chapter 551, Government Code. (b) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, the board may hold a regular or special meeting by telephone conference call or video conference call if at least one board member participating in the meeting is physically present at a location that is open to the public during the open portions of the meeting. A board member who participates in a meeting by telephone conference call or video conference call shall be counted as present at the meeting for all purposes. SECTION 3. Subchapter G, Chapter 54, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 54.6015 to read as follows: Sec. 54.6015. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF TAX RATE. A public hearing at which the adoption of a tax rate will be considered must be conducted: (1) at a designated meeting location: (A) inside the district; or (B) within 10 miles of the boundary of the district; or (2) by telephone conference call or video conference call, as provided by Section 49.064(b). SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.