HBA-NIK S.B. 1280 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1280
By: Wentworth
State Affairs
5/18/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas lottery commissioners are prohibited from discussing the
negotiation of the lottery operator contract except during a properly
posted open meeting. This eliminates the opportunity to plan and discuss
strategy aside from that which occurs in the presence of the person with
whom negotiations are being conducted. S.B. 1280 limits the application of
the Open Meetings Act for certain negotiations involving the Texas Lottery
Commission. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 467.030, Government Code, to provide that Section
551.002 (Open Meetings Requirement), Government Code, does not apply to a
closed meeting of the Texas Lottery Commission (commission) relating to the
negotiation of a lottery operator's contract if the commission determines,
in writing, that an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the
commission's position in the negotiations. Makes a nonsubstantive change. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.