What is the Texas Open Meetings Act designed to ensure?

The Texas Open Meetings Act is designed to ensure transparency in government by mandating that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with certain exceptions. This legislation aims to promote openness in governmental processes, allowing citizens to observe the discussions and decisions that affect their lives. By requiring that meetings be held in public, the act fosters accountability among elected officials and government agencies, ensuring that the decision-making process is visible to the people they serve. Transparency is a cornerstone of democracy and is fundamental to maintaining trust between government entities and the public. Other options, while related to governance and public participation, do not capture the primary intent of the Act as specifically as ensuring transparency does.