| (a) Posted agenda items. A person may speak before
the board on any matter on a posted agenda by submitting a request,
in a form and manner as prescribed by the department, prior to the
matter being taken up by the board. A person speaking before the board
on an agenda item will be allowed an opportunity to speak:
(1) prior to a motion by the board on the item; and
(2) for a maximum of three minutes, except as provided
in subsections (d)(6) and (e) of this section.
(b) Open comment period.
(1) At each regular board meeting, the board shall
allow an open comment period to receive public comment on any other
matter that is under the jurisdiction of the board.
(2) A person wanting to speak to the board under this
subsection shall complete a registration form, as provided by the
department, prior to the beginning of the open comment period.
(3) Except as provided in subsections (d)(6) and (e)
of this section, each person shall be allowed to speak for a maximum
of three minutes in the order in which requests to speak were received.
(c) Disability accommodation. Persons who have special
communication or accommodation needs and who plan to attend a meeting,
may contact the department's contact listed in the posted meeting
agenda for the purpose of requests for auxiliary aids or services.
Requests shall be made at least two days before a meeting. The department
shall make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.
(d) Conduct and decorum. The board shall receive public
input as authorized by this section, subject to the following guidelines.
(1) Questioning of speakers shall be reserved to board
members and the department's administrative staff.
(2) Organizations, associations, or groups are encouraged
to present their commonly held views, and same or similar comments,
through a representative member where possible.
(3) Comments shall remain pertinent to the issue being
discussed.
(4) A person who disrupts a meeting shall leave the
meeting room and the premises if ordered to do so by the chair.
(5) Time allotted to one speaker may not be reassigned
to another speaker.
(6) The time allotted for comments under this section
may be increased or decreased by the chair, or in the chair's absence,
the vice chair, as may be appropriate to assure opportunity for the
maximum number of persons to appear.
(e) Waiver. Subject to the approval of the chair, a
requirement of this section may be waived in the public interest if
necessary for the performance of the responsibilities of the board
or the department.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §206.22 adopted to be effective February 4, 2010, 35 TexReg 654; amended to be effective June 25, 2015, 40 TexReg 4000; amended to be effective February 28, 2021, 46 TexReg 1252; amended to be effective June 1, 2024, 49 TexReg 2696 |
