HB 3850
public gets to talk about things not on the agenda
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to comments by members of the public at an open meeting of a governmental body on items not on the agenda for that meeting.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Before or during agenda items. Cap the speakers if you must. Five, minimum.
The bill requires every governmental body holding an open meeting to let members of the public speak about topics that are not on the agenda. Those comments must be allowed before or during the body's work on agenda items, not pushed to the end of the meeting. The body may cap the number of non-agenda speakers, but the cap cannot be lower than five people per meeting.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 5, 2025 and referred to the House Delivery of Government Efficiency committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB3850 · 2025-03-05
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to comments by members of the public at an open meeting of a governmental body on items not on the agenda for that meeting.
WHAT IT DOES
Before or during agenda items. Cap the speakers if you must. Five, minimum.
The bill requires every governmental body holding an open meeting to let members of the public speak about topics that are not on the agenda. Those comments must be allowed before or during the body's work on agenda items, not pushed to the end of the meeting. The body may cap the number of non-agenda speakers, but the cap cannot be lower than five people per meeting.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Delivery of Government Efficiency
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
…“shall allow members of the public who desire to address the governmental body regarding items not on the meeting agenda”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill expands Texans' right to speak at public meetings on subjects the government did not put on the agenda.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Aug 9, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Associated General Contractors of Texas PAC$65,000.00
Associated General Contractors of Texas PAC
$65,000.00
- Cash
- $65,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $65,000.00
Also funds 120 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 19, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Sep 6, 2024 to Oct 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100986692, 101072185.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$35,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$35,000.00
- Cash
- $35,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $35,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Aug 9, 2024 to Sep 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100986692, 101030306, 101068017, 101072185.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Associated General Contractors of Texas PAC
$65,000.00
- Cash
- $65,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $65,000.00
Also funds 120 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 19, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Sep 6, 2024 to Oct 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100986692, 101072185.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$35,000.00
- Cash
- $35,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $35,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Aug 9, 2024 to Sep 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100986692, 101030306, 101068017, 101072185.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Mar 5, 2025
03/26/2025 H Referred to Delivery of Government Efficiency: Mar 26 2025 11:31AM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Delivery of Government Efficiency · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
City Government--General
County Government--General
Elections--Administration
Elections--General
Open Meetings
Political Subdivisions
Text
The text as introduced · 191 words
89R6406 GP-D By: Canales H.B. No. 3850 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to comments by members of the public at an open meeting of a governmental body on items not on the agenda for that meeting. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 551.007, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: (f) A governmental body conducting an open meeting shall allow members of the public who desire to address the governmental body regarding items not on the meeting agenda to address the governmental body regarding those non-agenda items before or during the governmental body's consideration of items on the agenda. The governing body may limit the number of persons allowed to address the governing body at the meeting under this subsection to not fewer than five. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.