Open Government Seminars address timely topics related to the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act and include updates on recent changes to the laws. The program provides detailed training and is directed toward government employees, attorneys, journalists and anyone wanting to learn more about open government laws. The one-day seminars are offered in cooperation with the Office of the Texas Attorney General. This course has been approved as meeting the requirements for open government training for public officials. State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education credits are also available.
The next Open Government Seminar will take place Thursday, June 19, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Denton at Embassy Suites by Hilton, Denton Convention Center, 3100 Town Centre Trail. The event is free and open to the public. Here’s the agenda:
1 p.m. – Tom Williams of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and Haynes and Boone, LLP will conduct a training session providing an overview of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
2 p.m. – 10-minute break
2:10 p.m. – Tamara Smith of the Texas Attorney General’s Office Open Records Division will conduct a training session providing an overview of the Texas Public Information Act and its exceptions.
3:10 p.m. – 5-minute break
3:15 p.m. – Texas Public Information Act Cost Rules. Tamara Smith of the Texas Attorney General’s Office will conduct a training session on TPIA cost rules, including explaining exactly what charges are allowed under the TPIA and the statutory obligations when assessing those charges.
4 p.m. – Seminar concludes.
2020
Corpus Christi
2018
Brownsville
Stay tuned for dates and cities of future Open Government Seminars!