SB2145 - 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.

      S.B. No. 2145         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.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2145 passed the Senate on   April 24, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2145 passed the House on   May 20, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 111, Nays 35, three   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor