HBA-MSH H.B. 3463 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3463
By: Smith
Public Education
57/25/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

State law provides that it is an offense to disclose to a member of the
public a certified agenda or tape recording of a meeting that was lawfully
closed to the public.  School boards often hear grievances in closed
meetings.  On an appeal to the commissioner of education, a school district
is required to provide records of the hearings.  Prior to the 77th
Legislature, it was unclear whether this was a violation of law pertaining
to closed meetings.  House Bill 3463 authorizes a school district to
disclose records to the commissioner of education and provides that such
disclosure is not a violation of law. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3463 amends the Education Code to authorize a public school
district to disclose to the commissioner of education (commissioner) a
record relating to an appeal to the commissioner, including a record of a
local hearing.   The bill provides that these disclosures are not in
violation of provisions relating to lawfully closed meetings. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 14, 2001.