Bill > HB4219

This bill enhances transparency and accountability in Texas public information requests by establishing new requirements for governmental bodies. Specifically, if a governmental body has no responsive information to a public records request, they must notify the requestor in writing within 10 business days. Similarly, if a governmental body plans to withhold information based on a previous determination, they must notify the requestor in writing within 10 business days and specify the exact previous determination being used to justify withholding the information. The bill also introduces a new complaint mechanism where requestors can file a written complaint with the attorney general if a governmental body fails to respond appropriately. If the attorney general finds that a governmental body improperly failed to comply with public information request rules, they can require the public information officer to complete additional open records training, prohibit the governmental body from charging the requestor for producing information, and mandate that the governmental body either quickly request an attorney general decision or release the requested information. These provisions aim to improve government transparency and ensure timely and proper responses to public information requests, with the changes applying only to requests received on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4219