SECTION 60.21. Commission Meetings--Procedures

(a) Every regular, special, or called meeting of the commission shall be announced and conducted in accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Open Meetings Act. These meetings shall be open to the public as provided by the Open Meetings Act.

(b) Meetings will be conducted according to the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in all instances to which they are applicable as long as they are not inconsistent with the Texas Constitution or the statutes or rules applicable to the commission. Any Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised may be modified as deemed necessary by the presiding officer for the proper conduct of the meeting subject to an objection by a commission member.

(c) A quorum of the commission is four members, which is a majority of all the members of the commission as designated by statute. When a quorum is present, a motion before the commission is carried by an affirmative vote of the majority of the commission members present that are participating in the vote.

(d) As a member of the commission, the presiding officer may make motions without the necessity of relinquishing the chair subject to an objection from a commission member.

(e) The department staff may use the commissioners' electronic signatures on written orders and decisions for actions taken during the commission meeting, unless otherwise directed.

(f) The presiding officer may limit the number and length of comments provided on any item on the agenda subject to an objection from a commission member.

(g) The commission shall provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to address the commission on issues under the commission's jurisdiction.

(1) A person who wants to speak during a commission meeting must register in accordance with the commission meeting instructions. The person may speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, or, at the discretion of the presiding officer, during the discussion of a specific agenda item.

(2) The commission or the department may provide instructions regarding the presentation of public comments during a commission meeting.

Source Note: The provisions of this §60.21 adopted to be effective July 1, 2009, 34 TexReg 4326; amended to be effective January 1, 2023, 47 TexReg 8627