2002 Open Meetings Act Handbook

I. Background and Overview

A. Open Meetings Act
B. Common-Law Background and Adoption of Open Meetings Act
C. Quorum

II. Recent Amendments

A. Subchapter A. General Provisions
B. Subchapter D. Exceptions to Requirement that Meetings Be Open
C. Subchapter F. Meetings Using Telephone, Videoconference, or Internet

III. Governmental Bodies

A. Definition
B. State-Level Governmental Bodies
C. Local Governmental Bodies
D. Entities Not Within the Definition of "Governmental Body"

IV. Meetings

A. Definition
B. Informal or Social Meetings
C. Deliberation Between a Quorum of a Governmental Body and a Third Party
D. Committees and Subcommittees of Governmental Bodies
E. Meetings Using Telephone, Videoconference, and Internet

V. Notice Requirements

A. Content
B. Place of Posting
C. Time of Posting
D. Emergency and Supplemental Posting
E. Recess in a Meeting

VI. Open Sessions

A. Convening the Meeting
B. Location of Meeting
C. Rights of the Public
D. Final Actions

VII. Executive Sessions

A. Overview of Subchapter D of the Open Meetings Act
B. Section 551.003: Application of Act to Meetings of the Legislature
C. Provisions Authorizing Deliberations in Executive Session

1. Section 551.071: Consultations with Attorney
2. Section 551.072: Deliberations about Real Property
3. Section 551.073: Deliberations about Gifts and Donations
4. Section 551.074: Personnel Matters
5. Section 551.0745: Deliberations by Commissioners Court about County Advisory Body
6. Section 551.076: Deliberations about Security Devices
7. Sections 551.078 through 551.0812:
Exceptions Applicable to Specific Entities
8. Section 551.082: Certain School Board Deliberations
9. Section 551.083: School Board Operating Under Consultation Agreement
10. Section 551.085: Certain Deliberations by Governing Board of Public Hospital
11. Section 551.086: Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters
12. Section 551.087: Deliberations Regarding Economic Development Negotiations
13. Section 551.088: Deliberations Regarding Test Item

D. No Implied Authority for Closed Sessions

VIII. Records of Meetings

A. Minutes and Tape Recordings of Open Sessions
B. Certified Agenda

IX. Penalties and Remedies

A. Introduction
B. Mandamus, Injunction, or Declaratory Judgment
C. Voidability of Governmental Body's Action in Violation of the Act
D. Criminal Provisions

X. The Open Meetings Act Distinguished from the Public Information Act

XI. Open Meetings Act and Other Statutes

A. Overview
B. Administrative Procedure Act
C. The Americans with Disabilities Act

Appendix A: Text of the Texas Open Meetings Act

Government Code Chapter 551