STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Government Performance and Financial Management
AGENDA DATE: October 23, 2019
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): N/A
DEPARTMENT: City Secretary’s Office
EXECUTIVE: Bilierae Johnson
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SUBJECT
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An ordinance amending Chapter 8, “Boards and Commissions,” of the Dallas City Code amending Sections 8-1 and 8-6; (1) providing boards that have rulemaking or quasi-judicial power to require public testimony before or during consideration of any agenda item; and (2) providing twice the amount of time for public testimony from an individual using a translator - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
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BACKGROUND
The 86th Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 2840 requiring that a governmental body allow each member of the public who desires to address the body regarding an item on an agenda for an open meeting of the body to address the body regarding the item at the meeting before or during the body's consideration of the item.
HB 2840 also allows a governmental body to limit the amount of time that a member of the public may address the governmental body. In addition, if a member of the public addresses the body through a translator, that person must be given at least twice the amount of time as a member of the public who does not require the assistance of a translator in order to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to address the body.
HB 2840 became law on September 1, 2019.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.