CS/CS/HB 355 - Public Meetings Summary

• Creates Section 286.0114 requiring boards and commissions of state and local agencies to provide the public a reasonable opportunity to be heard before taking official action on propositions.

• Allows opportunity to be heard at a different meeting than the action vote if it occurs at a properly-noticed meeting during the decisionmaking process and within reasonable proximity to the action meeting.

• Permits boards and commissions to adopt rules limiting speaking time, requiring group representatives instead of all members, prescribing procedures for public input, and designating specified public comment periods.

• Authorizes courts to assess reasonable attorney fees against agencies found in violation and allows courts to issue injunctions to enforce the requirement; exceptions apply to emergency actions, ministerial acts, exempt meetings, and quasi-judicial proceedings.

• Specifies that board or commission actions found in violation of this section are not void due to that violation alone; effective date July 1, 2012.