The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will hold a half-day open government seminar in Edinburg Monday that will include training for the state’s open meetings and public records laws.
The event is free and open to the public, a release from the nonprofit said, adding that the organization works with the Texas Attorney General’s Office to present the information in the meeting to government employees, journalists, attorneys, citizen activists and anyone interested in the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. “Access to public information is crucial for participating in our democracy. This training will help citizens and public officials learn how to use our state’s transparency laws,” Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, wrote in the release. Hidalgo County is hosting the event and it will be held in the County Commissioners Court Chambers, Annex III, at 100 E. Cano St., in Edinburg.
The seminar will take place in the afternoon:
>> 12:30 p.m. – Attendee arrival and check in
>> 1 p.m. – Texas Open Meetings Act explainer. Fulfills the requirement for public officials or their designees to complete training on the Open Meetings Act under section 551.005 of the Government Code.
>> 2 p.m. – 15-minute break
>> 2:15 p.m. – Texas Public Information Act 101 presentation. Fulfills the requirement for public officials or their designees to complete training on the Public Information Act under section 552.012 of the Government Code. >> 3:15 p.m – 10-minute break
>> 3:25 p.m. – Texas Public Information Act Cost Rules. Fulfills the requirement for public officials or their designees to complete training on the Public Information Act under section 552.012 of the Government Code.
>> 4:15 p.m. – Seminar concludes.
“The Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act training sessions are approved by the Attorney General’s Office as meeting the state requirements for open government training for public officials,” the release said. “The sessions also qualify for Continuing Legal Education for attorneys through the State Bar of Texas.”
Reservations are encouraged but not required. Anyone interested in attending can register online or RSVP to [email protected].
“The seminar is free, though optional donations are welcome and can be made at www.foift.org,” the release said.
