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Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 551.144. Closed Meeting; Offense; Penalty

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) A member of a governmental body commits an offense if a closed meeting is not permitted under this chapter and the member knowingly:

(1) calls or aids in calling or organizing the closed meeting, whether it is a special or called closed meeting;

(2) closes or aids in closing the meeting to the public, if it is a regular meeting; or

(3) participates in the closed meeting, whether it is a regular, special, or called meeting.

(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by:

(1) a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500;

(2) confinement in the county jail for not less than one month or more than six months; or

(3) both the fine and confinement.

(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the member of the governmental body acted in reasonable reliance on a court order or a written interpretation of this chapter contained in an opinion of a court of record, the attorney general, or the attorney for the governmental body.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 551.144. Closed Meeting; Offense; Penalty - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/government-code/gov-t-sect-551-144/

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