Texas Open Meetings Act – Videoconferencing/Teleconferencing

Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, the state of Texas has relaxed requirements for local governments under the Texas Open Meetings Act. The Texas Municipal League has created a guide for local governments when opting to use videoconferencing or teleconferencing to hold public meetings.

“Even as the State of Texas takes precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, we also have a responsibility to maintain government transparency,” Governor Abbott said in a March 16 statement. “With today’s action, Texas is reducing non-essential in-person contact for a limited period, while ensuring that state and local government entities continue to work to fulfill necessary functions and with full transparency for the people of Texas. I urge state and local officials to do their part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding meetings that bring people into large group settings.”