# Tex. Government Code § 551.007: PUBLIC TESTIMONY

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.007

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Government Code § 551.007
- **Heading:** PUBLIC TESTIMONY
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code gv / Chapter 551 / Section 551.007

## Text

(a) This section applies only to a governmental body described by Sections 551.001(3)(B)-(L).

(b) A governmental body shall allow each member of the public who desires to address the body regarding an item on an agenda for an open meeting of the body to address the body regarding the item at the meeting before or during the body's consideration of the item.

(c) A governmental body may adopt reasonable rules regarding the public's right to address the body under this section, including rules that limit the total amount of time that a member of the public may address the body on a given item.

(d) This subsection applies only if a governmental body does not use simultaneous translation equipment in a manner that allows the body to hear the translated public testimony simultaneously. A rule adopted under Subsection (c) that limits the amount of time that a member of the public may address the governmental body must provide that a member of the public who addresses the body through a translator must be given at least twice the amount of time as a member of the public who does not require the assistance of a translator in order to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to address the body.

(e) A governmental body may not prohibit public criticism of the governmental body, including criticism of any act, omission, policy, procedure, program, or service. This subsection does not apply to public criticism that is otherwise prohibited by law.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Government Code § 551.001 § 551.001. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.001.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.002 § 551.002. OPEN MEETINGS REQUIREMENT.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.002.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.003 § 551.003. LEGISLATURE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.003.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.004 § 551.004. OPEN MEETINGS REQUIRED BY CHARTER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.004.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.005 § 551.005. OPEN MEETINGS TRAINING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.005.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.006 § 551.006. WRITTEN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACCESSIBLE TO PUBLIC.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.006.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.007 § 551.007. PUBLIC TESTIMONY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.007.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.0015 § 551.0015. CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS SUBJECT TO LAW.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.0015.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.021 § 551.021. MINUTES OR RECORDING OF OPEN MEETING REQUIRED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.021.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.022 § 551.022.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.022.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.023 § 551.023. RECORDING OF MEETING BY PERSON IN ATTENDANCE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.023.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.0035 § 551.0035. ATTENDANCE BY GOVERNMENTAL BODY AT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE OR AGENCY MEETING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.0035.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.041 § 551.041. NOTICE OF MEETING REQUIRED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.041.md)
- [Tex. Government Code § 551.042 § 551.042. INQUIRY MADE AT MEETING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.042.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Cgv_C551_S551.007. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.