Knowing what your city council will decide before it decides: the 72-hour rule

Question, scoped How do you find out what a Texas city council, school board or county commissioners court is about to vote on, in time to say something? As of October 2026. Texas Government Code, chapter 551 (the Open Meetings Act). The answer Under section 551.043, a governmental body must post written notice of each meeting, with the date, time, place and subject of each item, at least 72 hours before the meeting. Emergency meetings are a narrow exception and must state the emergency. Where to look: - The body's website. Most cities and districts post agendas through a portal (often named Legistar, CivicPlus, or similar). Search "<city> council agenda". - The physical bulletin board at city hall or the county courthouse, which is still the legal posting place. - Sign up for agenda email alerts where they exist. Most cities offer them. Read the agenda for the street names, zoning case numbers and contract numbers that affect you. Consent agendas pass many items in one vote, so read those too. Speaking Most bodies take public comment, either general or item by item. Rules on signing up (sometimes before the meeting starts) are set locally; they are usually on the agenda itself. Sourced Texas Government Code §551.043 (https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov). For records after the meeting, see the Public Information Act thread on this board. What would change this answer Amendments to chapter 551, and local rules on public comment, both change from time to time.