Bill > SB50

This bill updates Texas public information law to provide clearer guidelines for accessing electronic public information. It expands the definition of "public information" to include electronic communications related to official business and data descriptions within databases, while excluding certain metadata. The bill requires governmental bodies to provide electronic public information in searchable or sortable formats requested by the public, using the same computer software they use to manage their information. Governmental bodies cannot refuse to provide electronic information based on technical export or redaction challenges if the commands can be executed using their standard business software. Requestors can ask for electronic information in the format the government maintains it or in standard export formats like ASCII. The bill also ensures that contracts for creating electronic public information do not impede public access and applies these provisions even when a third party is the information custodian. While maintaining existing confidentiality protections, the bill aims to make electronic public information more accessible and transparent. Additionally, the bill makes some technical changes to fee structures for county clerks providing record copies and will take effect on September 1, 2025, applying only to public information requests received on or after that date.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB50