TITLE: Relating to the authority of the advisory body of a public improvement district and the board of directors of a reinvestment zone to hold a meeting by a telecommunication device.

SUMMARY: Relating to the authority of the advisory body of a public improvement district and the board of directors of a reinvestment zone to hold a meeting by a telecommunication device.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the authority of the advisory body of a public improvement district and the board of directors of a reinvestment zone to hold a meeting by a telecommunication device. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 372, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 372.0081 to read as follows: Sec. 372.0081. ADVISORY BODY MEETINGS BY TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, if a member of an advisory body appointed under Section 372.008 is physically present at a meeting of the advisory body, any number of the other members of the advisory body may attend the meeting by use of telephone conference call, video conference call, or other similar telecommunication device. A member of the advisory body who attends a meeting via a telecommunication device is considered present for purposes of constituting a quorum, voting, and any other form of participation in the meeting. This subsection applies regardless of the subject of the meeting or topics considered at the meeting. (b) If an advisory body holds a meeting using a telecommunication device in the manner provided by Subsection (a), the advisory body must provide two-way audio communication between board members attending the meeting and, if the two-way audio communication link with a member is disrupted, stop the meeting until the link is reestablished. SECTION 2. Chapter 311, Tax Code, is amended by adding Section 311.0093 to read as follows: Sec. 311.0093. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS BY TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE. (a) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any other law, if the chair or vice chair of the board of directors of a reinvestment zone is physically present at a meeting of the board, any number of the other members of the board may attend the meeting by use of telephone conference call, video conference call, or other similar telecommunication device. A member of the board who attends a meeting via a telecommunication device is considered present for purposes of constituting a quorum, voting, and any other form of participation in the board meeting. This subsection applies regardless of the subject of the meeting or topics considered at the meeting. (b) If the board holds a meeting using a telecommunication device in the manner provided by Subsection (a): (1) the meeting is subject to the notice requirements for other meetings; (2) the board must specify in the notice the location of the meeting at which the chair or vice chair will be physically present; (3) the board must make the meeting open and audible to the public at the location specified under Subdivision (2); and (4) the board must provide two-way audio communication between board members attending the meeting and, if the two-way audio communication link with a member is disrupted, stop the meeting until the link is reestablished. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.