No. CS/CS/HB 655
Pub. Rec. and Pub. Meetings/Attorney Meetings to Discuss Private Property Rights Claims; Provides exemption from public meetings requirements for meetings or portions of meetings between agencies & their attorneys to discuss certain claims concerning private property rights; specifies what may be discussed during such meetings; requires that such meetings be transcribed; provides that such transcripts become public records at specified times; provides exemption from public records requirements for transcripts, recordings, minutes, & records generated during exempt meetings or portions of such meetings; provides for future legislative review & repeal of exemptions; provides statement of public necessity.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDState agencies may now hold closed-door sessions with their lawyers to negotiate Bert Harris property claims, removing these discussions from public view.
The bill requires full transcription of these private meetings, but the transcripts remain secret until the claim is settled or the statute of limitations expires.
This exemption from open-meeting and public-records laws automatically expires in 2031 unless the Legislature explicitly renews it.
AIAllows agencies to hold private sessions with their attorneys to discuss Bert Harris property rights claims, removing the requirement that these discussions be open to the public.
AIRequires agencies to announce the start and end of the private session at an open meeting and provide public notice of the time, date, and attendees.
AIRequires a certified court reporter to record the entire private session, with no off-the-record portions, and mandates that the transcript be filed with the agency's clerk.
AIExempts transcripts, recordings, and minutes from public records laws until the claim is settled or the statute of limitations expires, preventing public access during negotiations.
AIAutomatically repeals the new exemptions on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature reviews and reenacts the section.