Frequently Asked Questions For Liaisons Only
Open Meetings
How do I access and fill out the submission form?
Login to the Liaison Center. Click on “Open Meetings Submission” to access the form (if you do not see a link for “Open Meetings Submission,” please contact the Texas Register to verify access).
Fill in all applicable fields. The “Board” and “Committee” field should be left blank unless the meeting being posted is for a specific board or committee of the agency. (The agency name is automatically included when the open meeting is filed). The “If Emergency Meeting, Reason” field should be left blank unless the meeting being filed is an emergency meeting. The “Additional Information Obtained From” field should include an individual’s name and phone number or email address to contact for information about the meeting. You may copy and paste your agenda into the agenda field. A separate document file for the agenda is not required. Click “Submit Form.”
How do I know that my posting has been accepted?
Submission of an open meeting posting will generate an emailed acknowledgement of receipt message to the liaison filing the meeting. The message gives the agency name, the board or committee holding the meeting, the time and date of the meeting, and the TRD (Texas Register docket) number.
Please note: acknowledgement of receipt does not guarantee that the posting is statutorily acceptable according to §551.043 of the Government Code. It is the agency’s responsibility to ensure that its open meeting postings fulfill statutory filing requirements for adequate prior notice.
May I cancel an open meeting notice once it has been posted?
Yes. In the Liaison Center, click on “Open Meeting Cancellation” to see a list of meetings eligible for cancellation. Select your meeting TRD from the list, click on it to open the record, and change the status in the dropdown menu from “accepted” to “canceled.” Click “Cancel This Meeting” at the bottom of the page.
How do I verify that my open meeting notice has been canceled?
You may view your open meeting notice on the public open meeting viewer on the Texas Register website. The viewer will show the meeting status.
May I edit an open meeting notice once it has been posted?
Notice of an open meeting becomes public information once posted, and therefore may not be edited after posting.
May I delete an open meeting notice once it has been posted?
Notice of an open meeting becomes public information once posted, and therefore may not be deleted by an agency or its representative. Open meeting postings may be revised or canceled and re-submitted.
What statutes govern open meetings?
Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, details rules pertaining to open meetings, including definitions and specific deadlines. For interpretation of specific rules, please consult legal counsel or the Texas Attorney General’s office.
What types of governing bodies post open meeting notices with the Texas Register?
Statewide governmental bodies as well as regional agencies with jurisdiction extending into four or more counties are required to post notice of their meetings with the Secretary of State.
For interpretation specific to your agency, please consult legal counsel or the Texas Attorney General’s office.
When must I post an open meeting notice with the Texas Register?
Regional agencies with jurisdiction extending into four or more counties must post notice of their meetings at least 72 hours before the scheduled time of the meeting. Governmental bodies with statewide jurisdiction must post open meetings notices at least seven days before the day of the meeting.
For interpretation specific to your agency, please consult legal counsel or the Texas Attorney General’s office.
