Texas Open Meetings Act

The Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA),Chapter 551, Government Code[1] whereby meetings held by governmental bodies in the state of Texas, be they at the state or local level, must be open to the public (except for executive sessions).[2][3][4][5] Moreover, the act says, "a person in attendance may record all or any part of an open meeting of a governmental body by means of a recorder, video camera, or other means of aural or visual reproduction.”[6]

On March 22, 2017, an activist from Waxahachie was arrested at the Texas State Capitol for attempting to film a governmental meeting.[6] She was asked to leave by Representative Byron Cook and charged with trespassing.[6]

References

  1. ^ {{|website=Texas Legislature Online Statutes|url=https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.551.htm%7Caccessdate=October 16, 2025}}
  2. ^ "Open Meetings Laws in Texas". Digital Media Law Project. Berkman Center for Internet & Society. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  3. ^ "Open Meetings Act". Texas Municipal League. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  4. ^ "Texas Open Meetings Act". Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  5. ^ "Welcome to Open Meetings". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Whitely, Jason (April 20, 2017). "Activist arrested at Capitol likely has law on her side". WFAA. Retrieved May 3, 2017.