Texas Governor Greg Abbot, in accordance with section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, yesterday suspended various laws requiring state and local government officials as well as members of the public to be physically present at public meetings.  We recommended that you review the complete list of Open Meetings Act changes at the Texas Attorney General’s Office link as follows:

As stated in the Governor’s press release, “(t)his temporary suspension will leave important Open Meetings protections in place:

• Members of the public will be entitled to participate and address the governmental body during any telephonic or video-conference meeting.
• To hold a telephonic or video-conference meeting, a governmental body must post a written notice that gives the public a way to participate remotely, such as a toll-free dial-in number, and that includes an electronic copy of any agenda packet that officials will consider at the meeting.
• A governmental body must provide the public with access to a recording of any telephonic or video-conference meeting.”

    Other key points regarding public participation, according to the Governor’s Office:

• “Officials who hold video-conference meetings are encouraged to provide for participation via telephone for members of the public without videoconferencing capability.”
• “If officials are not holding a telephonic or video-conference meeting, all open-meeting requirements apply.”