Legislation would close loopholes allowing secret government meetings in Texas

AUSTIN — A Democratic state senator and a Republican House member filed legislation Wednesday to close yet another court-imposed loophole in Texas' open government laws.

State Sen. Kirk Watson, an Austin Democrat, and Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, said their measure would make clear that members of governmental bodies like city councils and school boards could not meet in small groups to skirt the state law requiring them to conduct business in public view.

“Texans want their elected officials to be transparent and allow honest participation in the process,” said Phelan, who is carrying House Bill 3402. “If we do not act this session to address this ruling, we deny them the open government they deserve.”

The bill and its upper-chamber companion, Senate Bill 1640, come in response to a ruling last week by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The ruling removed the Open Meetings Act's criminal deterrent for public officials who do business in small closed-door groups sometimes called "walking quorums."

Read more: https://www.caller.com/story/news/local/texas/state-bureau/2019/03/06/legislation-would-close-loopholes-allowing-secret-government-meetings/3079848002/