GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 5. OPEN GOVERNMENT; ETHICS
SUBTITLE A. OPEN GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 552. PUBLIC INFORMATION
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 552.001. POLICY; CONSTRUCTION. (a) Under the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government that adheres to the principle that government is the servant and not the master of the people, it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created. The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to implement this policy.
(b) This chapter shall be liberally construed in favor of granting a request for information.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.002. DEFINITION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION; MEDIA CONTAINING PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) In this chapter, "public information" means information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business:
(1) by a governmental body;
(2) for a governmental body and the governmental body:
(A) owns the information;
(B) has a right of access to the information; or
(C) spends or contributes public money for the purpose of writing, producing, collecting, assembling, or maintaining the information; or
(3) by an individual officer or employee of a governmental body in the officer's or employee's official capacity and the information pertains to official business of the governmental body.
(a-1) Information is in connection with the transaction of official business if the information is created by, transmitted to, received by, or maintained by an officer or employee of the governmental body in the officer's or employee's official capacity, or a person or entity performing official business or a governmental function on behalf of a governmental body, and pertains to official business of the governmental body.
(a-2) The definition of "public information" provided by Subsection (a) applies to and includes any electronic communication created, transmitted, received, or maintained on any device if the communication is in connection with the transaction of official business.
(b) The media on which public information is recorded include:
(1) paper;
(2) film;
(3) a magnetic, optical, solid state, or other device that can store an electronic signal;
(4) tape;
(5) Mylar; and
(6) any physical material on which information may be recorded, including linen, silk, and vellum.
(c) The general forms in which the media containing public information exist include a book, paper, letter, document, e-mail, Internet posting, text message, instant message, other electronic communication, printout, photograph, film, tape, microfiche, microfilm, photostat, sound recording, map, and drawing and a voice, data, or video representation held in computer memory.
(d) "Protected health information" as defined by Section 181.006, Health and Safety Code, is not public information and is not subject to disclosure under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1204 (S.B. 1368), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.003. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Governmental body":
(A) means:
(i) a board, commission, department, committee, institution, agency, or office that is within or is created by the executive or legislative branch of state government and that is directed by one or more elected or appointed members;
(ii) a county commissioners court in the state;
(iii) a municipal governing body in the state;
(iv) a deliberative body that has rulemaking or quasi-judicial power and that is classified as a department, agency, or political subdivision of a county or municipality;
(v) a school district board of trustees;
(vi) a county board of school trustees;
(vii) a county board of education;
(viii) the governing board of a special district;
(ix) the governing body of a nonprofit corporation organized under Chapter 67, Water Code, that provides a water supply or wastewater service, or both, and is exempt from ad valorem taxation under Section 11.30, Tax Code;
(x) a local workforce development board created under Section 2308.253;
(xi) a nonprofit corporation that is eligible to receive funds under the federal community services block grant program and that is authorized by this state to serve a geographic area of the state;
(xii) a confinement facility operated under a contract with any division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
(xiii) a civil commitment housing facility owned, leased, or operated by a vendor under contract with the state as provided by Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code;
(xiv) an entity that receives public funds in the current or preceding state fiscal year to manage the daily operations or restoration of the Alamo, or an entity that oversees such an entity; and
(xv) the part, section, or portion of an organization, corporation, commission, committee, institution, or agency that spends or that is supported in whole or in part by public funds; and
(B) does not include:
(i) the judiciary; or
(ii) an economic development entity whose mission or purpose is to develop and promote the economic growth of a state agency or political subdivision with which the entity contracts if:
(a) the entity does not receive $1 million or more in public funds from a single state agency or political subdivision in the current or preceding state fiscal year; or
(b) the entity:
(1) either:
(A) does not have the authority to make decisions or recommendations on behalf of a state agency or political subdivision regarding tax abatements or tax incentives; or
(B) does not require an officer of the state agency or political subdivision to hold office as a member of the board of directors of the entity;
(2) does not use staff or office space of the state agency or political subdivision for no or nominal consideration, unless the space is available to the public;
(3) to a reasonable degree, tracks the entity's receipt and expenditure of public funds separately from the entity's receipt and expenditure of private funds; and
(4) provides at least quarterly public reports to the state agency or political subdivision regarding work performed on behalf of the state agency or political subdivision.
(1-a) "Contracting information" means the following information maintained by a governmental body or sent between a governmental body and a vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor:
(A) information in a voucher or contract relating to the receipt or expenditure of public funds by a governmental body;
(B) solicitation or bid documents relating to a contract with a governmental body;
(C) communications sent between a governmental body and a vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor during the solicitation, evaluation, or negotiation of a contract;
(D) documents, including bid tabulations, showing the criteria by which a governmental body evaluates each vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor responding to a solicitation and, if applicable, an explanation of why the vendor or contractor was selected; and
(E) communications and other information sent between a governmental body and a vendor or contractor related to the performance of a final contract with the governmental body or work performed on behalf of the governmental body.
(1-b) "Honorably retired" means, with respect to a position, an individual who:
(A) previously served but is not currently serving in the position;
(B) did not retire in lieu of any disciplinary action;
(C) was eligible to retire from the position or was ineligible to retire only as a result of an injury received in the course of the individual's employment in the position; and
(D) is eligible to receive a pension or annuity for service in the position or is ineligible to receive a pension or annuity only because the entity that employed the individual does not offer a pension or annuity to its employees.
(2) "Manipulation" means the process of modifying, reordering, or decoding of information with human intervention.
(2-a) "Official business" means any matter over which a governmental body has any authority, administrative duties, or advisory duties.
(3) "Processing" means the execution of a sequence of coded instructions by a computer producing a result.
(4) "Programming" means the process of producing a sequence of coded instructions that can be executed by a computer.
(5) "Public funds" means funds of the state or of a governmental subdivision of the state.
(6) "Requestor" means a person who submits a request to a governmental body for inspection or copies of public information.
(7) "Temporary custodian" means an officer or employee of a governmental body who, in the transaction of official business, creates or receives public information that the officer or employee has not provided to the officer for public information of the governmental body or the officer's agent. The term includes a former officer or employee of a governmental body who created or received public information in the officer's or employee's official capacity that has not been provided to the officer for public information of the governmental body or the officer's agent.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 18.24, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 633, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1004, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 9.014, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1204 (S.B. 1368), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2020.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 590 (S.B. 841), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 21.001(35), eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 552.0031. BUSINESS DAYS. (a) Except as provided by this section, in this chapter "business day" means a day other than:
(1) a Saturday or Sunday;
(2) a national holiday under Section 662.003(a); or
(3) a state holiday under Section 662.003(b).
(b) The fact that an employee works from an alternative work site does not affect whether a day is considered a business day under this chapter.
(c) An optional holiday under Section 662.003(c) is not a business day of a governmental body if the officer for public information of the governmental body observes the optional holiday.
(d) A holiday established by the governing body of an institution of higher education under Section 662.011(a) is not a business day of the institution of higher education.
(e) The Friday before or Monday after a holiday described by Subsection (a)(2) or (3) is not a business day of a governmental body if the holiday occurs on a Saturday or Sunday and the governmental body observes the holiday on that Friday or Monday.
(f) Subject to the requirements of this subsection, a governmental body may designate a day on which the governmental body's administrative offices are closed or operating with minimum staffing as a nonbusiness day. The designation of a nonbusiness day for an independent school district must be made by the board of trustees. The designation of a nonbusiness day for a governmental body other than an independent school district must be made by the executive director or other chief administrative officer. A governmental body may designate not more than 10 nonbusiness days under this subsection each calendar year.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.0035. ACCESS TO INFORMATION OF JUDICIARY. (a) Access to information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for the judiciary is governed by rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Texas or by other applicable laws and rules.
(b) This section does not address whether information is considered to be information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for the judiciary.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Sec. 552.0036. CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS SUBJECT TO LAW. A property owners' association is subject to this chapter in the same manner as a governmental body:
(1) if:
(A) membership in the property owners' association is mandatory for owners or for a defined class of owners of private real property in a defined geographic area in a county with a population of 2.8 million or more or in a county adjacent to a county with a population of 2.8 million or more;
(B) the property owners' association has the power to make mandatory special assessments for capital improvements or mandatory regular assessments; and
(C) the amount of the mandatory special or regular assessments is or has ever been based in whole or in part on the value at which the state or a local governmental body assesses the property for purposes of ad valorem taxation under Section 20, Article VIII, Texas Constitution; or
(2) if the property owners' association:
(A) provides maintenance, preservation, and architectural control of residential and commercial property within a defined geographic area in a county with a population of 2.8 million or more or in a county adjacent to a county with a population of 2.8 million or more; and
(B) is a corporation that:
(i) is governed by a board of trustees who may employ a general manager to execute the association's bylaws and administer the business of the corporation;
(ii) does not require membership in the corporation by the owners of the property within the defined area; and
(iii) was incorporated before January 1, 2006.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Renumbered from Sec. 552.0035 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(51), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1367 (H.B. 3674), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.
Sec. 552.0038. PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEMS SUBJECT TO LAW. (a) In this section, "governing body of a public retirement system" and "public retirement system" have the meanings assigned those terms by Section 802.001.
(b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) through (i), the governing body of a public retirement system is subject to this chapter in the same manner as a governmental body.
(c) Records of individual members, annuitants, retirees, beneficiaries, alternate payees, program participants, or persons eligible for benefits from a retirement system under a retirement plan or program administered by the retirement system that are in the custody of the system or in the custody of an administering firm, a carrier, or another governmental agency, including the comptroller, acting in cooperation with or on behalf of the retirement system are confidential and not subject to public disclosure. The retirement system, administering firm, carrier, or governmental agency is not required to accept or comply with a request for a record or information about a record or to seek an opinion from the attorney general because the records are exempt from the provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise provided by this section.
(d) Records may be released to a member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, alternate payee, program participant, or person eligible for benefits from the retirement system or to an authorized attorney, family member, or representative acting on behalf of the member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, alternate payee, program participant, or person eligible for benefits. The retirement system may release the records to:
(1) an administering firm, carrier, or agent or attorney acting on behalf of the retirement system;
(2) another governmental entity having a legitimate need for the information to perform the purposes of the retirement system; or
(3) a party in response to a subpoena issued under applicable law.
(e) A record released or received by the retirement system under this section may be transmitted electronically, including through the use of an electronic signature or certification in a form acceptable to the retirement system. An unintentional disclosure to, or unauthorized access by, a third party related to the transmission or receipt of information under this section is not a violation by the retirement system of any law, including a law or rule relating to the protection of confidential information.
(f) The records of an individual member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, alternate payee, program participant, or person eligible for benefits from the retirement system remain confidential after release to a person as authorized by this section. The records may become part of the public record of an administrative or judicial proceeding related to a contested case, and the member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, alternate payee, program participant, or person eligible for benefits waives the confidentiality of the records, including medical records, unless the records are closed to public access by a protective order issued under applicable law.
(g) The retirement system may require a person to provide the person's social security number as the system considers necessary to ensure the proper administration of all services, benefits, plans, and programs under the retirement system's administration, oversight, or participation or as otherwise required by state or federal law.
(h) The retirement system has sole discretion in determining whether a record is subject to this section. For purposes of this section, a record includes any identifying information about a person, living or deceased, who is or was a member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, alternate payee, program participant, or person eligible for benefits from the retirement system under any retirement plan or program administered by the retirement system.
(i) To the extent of a conflict between this section and any other law with respect to the confidential information held by a public retirement system or other entity described by Subsection (c) concerning an individual member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, alternate payee, program participant, or person eligible for benefits from the retirement system, the prevailing provision is the provision that provides the greater substantive and procedural protection for the privacy of information concerning that individual member, annuitant, retiree, beneficiary, alternate payee, program participant, or person eligible for benefits.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 809 (H.B. 2460), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Sec. 552.004. PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION. (a) A governmental body or, for information of an elective county office, the elected county officer, may determine a time for which information that is not currently in use will be preserved, subject to Subsection (b) and to any applicable rule or law governing the destruction and other disposition of state and local government records or public information.
(b) A current or former officer or employee of a governmental body who maintains public information on a privately owned device shall:
(1) forward or transfer the public information to the governmental body or a governmental body server to be preserved as provided by Subsection (a); or
(2) preserve the public information in its original form in a backup or archive and on the privately owned device for the time described under Subsection (a).
(c) The provisions of Chapter 441 of this code and Title 6, Local Government Code, governing the preservation, destruction, or other disposition of records or public information apply to records and public information held by a temporary custodian.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.005. EFFECT OF CHAPTER ON SCOPE OF CIVIL DISCOVERY. (a) This chapter does not affect the scope of civil discovery under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
(b) Exceptions from disclosure under this chapter do not create new privileges from discovery.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.0055. SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM OR DISCOVERY REQUEST. A subpoena duces tecum or a request for discovery that is issued in compliance with a statute or a rule of civil or criminal procedure is not considered to be a request for information under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Sec. 552.006. EFFECT OF CHAPTER ON WITHHOLDING PUBLIC INFORMATION. This chapter does not authorize the withholding of public information or limit the availability of public information to the public, except as expressly provided by this chapter.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.007. VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION WHEN DISCLOSURE NOT REQUIRED. (a) This chapter does not prohibit a governmental body or its officer for public information from voluntarily making part or all of its information available to the public, unless the disclosure is expressly prohibited by law or the information is confidential under law.
(b) Public information made available under Subsection (a) must be made available to any person.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.008. INFORMATION FOR LEGISLATIVE PURPOSES. (a) This chapter does not grant authority to withhold information from individual members, agencies, or committees of the legislature to use for legislative purposes.
(b) A governmental body on request by an individual member, agency, or committee of the legislature shall provide public information, including confidential information, to the requesting member, agency, or committee for inspection or duplication in accordance with this chapter if the requesting member, agency, or committee states that the public information is requested under this chapter for legislative purposes. A governmental body, by providing public information under this section that is confidential or otherwise excepted from required disclosure under law, does not waive or affect the confidentiality of the information for purposes of state or federal law or waive the right to assert exceptions to required disclosure of the information in the future. The governmental body may require the requesting individual member of the legislature, the requesting legislative agency or committee, or the members or employees of the requesting entity who will view or handle information that is received under this section and that is confidential under law to sign a confidentiality agreement that covers the information and requires that:
(1) the information not be disclosed outside the requesting entity, or within the requesting entity for purposes other than the purpose for which it was received;
(2) the information be labeled as confidential;
(3) the information be kept securely; or
(4) the number of copies made of the information or the notes taken from the information that implicate the confidential nature of the information be controlled, with all copies or notes that are not destroyed or returned to the governmental body remaining confidential and subject to the confidentiality agreement.
(b-1) A member, committee, or agency of the legislature required by a governmental body to sign a confidentiality agreement under Subsection (b) may seek a decision as provided by Subsection (b-2) about whether the information covered by the confidentiality agreement is confidential under law. A confidentiality agreement signed under Subsection (b) is void to the extent that the agreement covers information that is finally determined under Subsection (b-2) to not be confidential under law.
(b-2) The member, committee, or agency of the legislature may seek a decision from the attorney general about the matter. The attorney general by rule shall establish procedures and deadlines for receiving information necessary to decide the matter and briefs from the requestor, the governmental body, and any other interested person. The attorney general shall promptly render a decision requested under this subsection, determining whether the information covered by the confidentiality agreement is confidential under law, not later than the 45th business day after the date the attorney general received the request for a decision under this subsection. The attorney general shall issue a written decision on the matter and provide a copy of the decision to the requestor, the governmental body, and any interested person who submitted necessary information or a brief to the attorney general about the matter. The requestor or the governmental body may appeal a decision of the attorney general under this subsection to a Travis County district court. A person may appeal a decision of the attorney general under this subsection to a Travis County district court if the person claims a proprietary interest in the information affected by the decision or a privacy interest in the information that a confidentiality law or judicial decision is designed to protect.
(c) This section does not affect:
(1) the right of an individual member, agency, or committee of the legislature to obtain information from a governmental body under other law, including under the rules of either house of the legislature;
(2) the procedures under which the information is obtained under other law; or
(3) the use that may be made of the information obtained under other law.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1364 (S.B. 671), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2010.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2010.
Sec. 552.009. OPEN RECORDS STEERING COMMITTEE: ADVICE TO ATTORNEY GENERAL; ELECTRONIC AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) The open records steering committee is composed of two representatives of the attorney general's office and:
(1) a representative of each of the following, appointed by its governing entity:
(A) the comptroller's office;
(B) the Department of Public Safety;
(C) the Department of Information Resources; and
(D) the Texas State Library and Archives Commission;
(2) five public members, appointed by the attorney general; and
(3) a representative of each of the following types of local governments, appointed by the attorney general:
(A) a municipality;
(B) a county; and
(C) a school district.
Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 1
(b) The representative of the attorney general designated by the attorney general is the presiding officer of the committee. The committee shall meet as prescribed by committee procedures or at the call of the presiding officer.
Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 1
(b) The representative of the attorney general is the presiding officer of the committee. The committee shall meet as prescribed by committee procedures or at the call of the presiding officer.
(c) The committee shall advise the attorney general regarding the office of the attorney general's performance of its duties under Sections 552.010, 552.205, 552.262, 552.269, and 552.274.
(d) The members of the committee who represent state governmental bodies and the public members of the committee shall periodically study and determine the types of public information for which it would be useful to the public or cost-effective for the government if the type of information were made available by state governmental bodies by means of the Internet or another electronic format. The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor, the presiding officer of each house of the legislature, and the budget committee and state affairs committee of each house of the legislature.
(e) Chapter 2110 does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the committee. Chapter 2110 applies to the reimbursement of a public member's expenses related to service on the committee. Any reimbursement of the expenses of a member who represents a state or local governmental body may be paid only from funds available to the state or local governmental body the member represents.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 937 (H.B. 3560), Sec. 3.06, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 552.010. STATE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES: FISCAL AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO MAKING INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE. (a) Each state governmental body shall report to the attorney general the information the attorney general requires regarding:
(1) the number and nature of requests for information the state governmental body processes under this chapter in the period covered by the report; and
(2) the cost to the state governmental body in that period in terms of capital expenditures and personnel time of:
(A) responding to requests for information under this chapter; and
(B) making information available to the public by means of the Internet or another electronic format.
(b) The attorney general shall design and phase in the reporting requirements in a way that:
(1) minimizes the reporting burden on state governmental bodies; and
(2) allows the legislature and state governmental bodies to estimate the extent to which it is cost-effective for state government, and if possible the extent to which it is cost-effective or useful for members of the public, to make information available to the public by means of the Internet or another electronic format as a supplement or alternative to publicizing the information only in other ways or making the information available only in response to requests made under this chapter.
(c) The attorney general shall share the information reported under this section with the open records steering committee.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 3, Sec. 27.01, eff. Jan. 11, 2004.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.011. UNIFORMITY. The attorney general shall maintain uniformity in the application, operation, and interpretation of this chapter. To perform this duty, the attorney general may prepare, distribute, and publish any materials, including detailed and comprehensive written decisions and opinions, that relate to or are based on this chapter.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Sec. 552.012. OPEN RECORDS TRAINING. (a) This section applies to an elected or appointed public official who is:
(1) a member of a multimember governmental body;
(2) the governing officer of a governmental body that is headed by a single officer rather than by a multimember governing body; or
(3) the officer for public information of a governmental body, without regard to whether the officer is elected or appointed to a specific term.
(b) Each public official shall complete a course of training of not less than one and not more than two hours regarding the responsibilities of the governmental body with which the official serves and its officers and employees under this chapter not later than the 90th day after the date the public official:
(1) takes the oath of office, if the person is required to take an oath of office to assume the person's duties as a public official; or
(2) otherwise assumes the person's duties as a public official, if the person is not required to take an oath of office to assume the person's duties.
(b-1) The attorney general may require each public official of a governmental body to complete the course of training if the attorney general determines that the governmental body has failed to comply with a requirement of this chapter. The attorney general must notify each public official in writing of the attorney general's determination and the requirement to complete the training. A public official who receives notice from the attorney general under this subsection must complete the training not later than the 60th day after the date the official receives the notice.
(c) A public official may designate a public information coordinator to satisfy the training requirements of this section for the public official if the public information coordinator is primarily responsible for administering the responsibilities of the public official or governmental body under this chapter. Designation of a public information coordinator under this subsection does not relieve a public official from the duty to comply with any other requirement of this chapter that applies to the public official. The designated public information coordinator shall complete the training course regarding the responsibilities of the governmental body with which the coordinator serves and of its officers and employees under this chapter not later than the 90th day after the date the coordinator assumes the person's duties as coordinator.
(d) The attorney general shall ensure that the training is made available. The office of the attorney general may provide the training and may also approve any acceptable course of training offered by a governmental body or other entity. The attorney general shall ensure that at least one course of training approved or provided by the attorney general is available on videotape or a functionally similar and widely available medium at no cost. The training must include instruction in:
(1) the general background of the legal requirements for open records and public information;
(2) the applicability of this chapter to governmental bodies;
(3) procedures and requirements regarding complying with a request for information under this chapter;
(4) the role of the attorney general under this chapter; and
(5) penalties and other consequences for failure to comply with this chapter.
(e) The office of the attorney general or other entity providing the training shall provide a certificate of course completion to persons who complete the training required by this section. A governmental body shall maintain and make available for public inspection the record of its public officials' or, if applicable, the public information coordinator's completion of the training.
(f) Completing the required training as a public official of the governmental body satisfies the requirements of this section with regard to the public official's service on a committee or subcommittee of the governmental body and the public official's ex officio service on any other governmental body.
(g) The training required by this section may be used to satisfy any corresponding training requirements concerning this chapter or open records required by law for a public official or public information coordinator. The attorney general shall attempt to coordinate the training required by this section with training required by other law to the extent practicable.
(h) A certificate of course completion is admissible as evidence in a criminal prosecution under this chapter. However, evidence that a defendant completed a course of training offered under this section is not prima facie evidence that the defendant knowingly violated this chapter.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 105 (S.B. 286), Sec. 2, eff. January 1, 2006.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.
SUBCHAPTER B. RIGHT OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION
Sec. 552.021. AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. Public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.0215. RIGHT OF ACCESS TO CERTAIN INFORMATION AFTER 75 YEARS. (a) Except as provided by Section 552.147, the confidentiality provisions of this chapter, or other law, information that is not confidential but is excepted from required disclosure under Subchapter C is public information and is available to the public on or after the 75th anniversary of the date the information was originally created or received by the governmental body.
(b) This section does not limit the authority of a governmental body to establish retention periods for records under applicable law.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 462 (S.B. 1907), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.022. CATEGORIES OF PUBLIC INFORMATION; EXAMPLES. (a) Without limiting the amount or kind of information that is public information under this chapter, the following categories of information are public information and not excepted from required disclosure unless made confidential under this chapter or other law:
(1) a completed report, audit, evaluation, or investigation made of, for, or by a governmental body, except as provided by Section 552.108;
(2) the name, sex, ethnicity, salary, title, and dates of employment of each employee and officer of a governmental body;
(3) information in an account, voucher, or contract relating to the receipt or expenditure of public or other funds by a governmental body;
(4) the name of each official and the final record of voting on all proceedings in a governmental body;
(5) all working papers, research material, and information used to estimate the need for or expenditure of public funds or taxes by a governmental body, on completion of the estimate;
(6) the name, place of business, and the name of the municipality to which local sales and use taxes are credited, if any, for the named person, of a person reporting or paying sales and use taxes under Chapter 151, Tax Code;
(7) a description of an agency's central and field organizations, including:
(A) the established places at which the public may obtain information, submit information or requests, or obtain decisions;
(B) the employees from whom the public may obtain information, submit information or requests, or obtain decisions;
(C) in the case of a uniformed service, the members from whom the public may obtain information, submit information or requests, or obtain decisions; and
(D) the methods by which the public may obtain information, submit information or requests, or obtain decisions;
(8) a statement of the general course and method by which an agency's functions are channeled and determined, including the nature and requirements of all formal and informal policies and procedures;
(9) a rule of procedure, a description of forms available or the places at which forms may be obtained, and instructions relating to the scope and content of all papers, reports, or examinations;
(10) a substantive rule of general applicability adopted or issued by an agency as authorized by law, and a statement of general policy or interpretation of general applicability formulated and adopted by an agency;
(11) each amendment, revision, or repeal of information described by Subdivisions (7)-(10);
(12) final opinions, including concurring and dissenting opinions, and orders issued in the adjudication of cases;
(13) a policy statement or interpretation that has been adopted or issued by an agency;
(14) administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public;
(15) information regarded as open to the public under an agency's policies;
(16) information that is in a bill for attorney's fees and that is not privileged under the attorney-client privilege;
(17) information that is also contained in a public court record; and
(18) a settlement agreement to which a governmental body is a party.
(b) A court in this state may not order a governmental body or an officer for public information to withhold from public inspection any category of public information described by Subsection (a) or to not produce the category of public information for inspection or duplication, unless the category of information is confidential under this chapter or other law.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.0221. EMPLOYEE OR TRUSTEE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PENSION SYSTEM. (a) Information concerning the employment of an employee of a public employee pension system is public information under the terms of this chapter, including information concerning the income, salary, benefits, and bonuses received from the pension system by the employee in the person's capacity as an employee of the system, and is not removed from the application of this chapter, made confidential, or otherwise excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 by any statute intended to protect the records of persons as members, beneficiaries, or retirees of a public employee pension system in their capacity as such.
(b) Information concerning the service of a trustee of a public employee pension system is public information under the terms of this chapter, including information concerning the income, salary, benefits, and bonuses received from the pension system by the trustee in the person's capacity as a trustee of the system, and is not removed from the application of this chapter, made confidential, or otherwise excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 by any statute intended to protect the records of persons as members, beneficiaries, or retirees of a public employee pension system in their capacity as such.
(c) Information subject to Subsections (a) and (b) must be released only to the extent the information is not excepted from required disclosure under this subchapter or Subchapter C.
(d) For purposes of this section, "benefits" does not include pension benefits provided to an individual by a pension system under the statutory plan covering the individual as a member, beneficiary, or retiree of the pension system.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 58 (S.B. 1071), Sec. 1, eff. May 19, 2009.
Sec. 552.0222. DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTING INFORMATION. (a) Contracting information is public and must be released unless excepted from disclosure under this chapter.
(b) The exceptions to disclosure provided by Sections 552.110 and 552.1101 do not apply to the following types of contracting information:
(1) a contract described by Section 2261.253(a), excluding any information that was properly redacted under Subsection (e) of that section;
(2) a contract described by Section 322.020(c), excluding any information that was properly redacted under Subsection (d) of that section;
(3) the following contract or offer terms or their functional equivalent:
(A) any term describing the overall or total price the governmental body will or could potentially pay, including overall or total value, maximum liability, and final price;
(B) a description of the items or services to be delivered with the total price for each if a total price is identified for the item or service in the contract;
(C) the delivery and service deadlines;
(D) the remedies for breach of contract;
(E) the identity of all parties to the contract;
(F) the identity of all subcontractors in a contract;
(G) the affiliate overall or total pricing for a vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor;
(H) the execution dates;
(I) the effective dates; and
(J) the contract duration terms, including any extension options; or
(4) information indicating whether a vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor performed its duties under a contract, including information regarding:
(A) a breach of contract;
(B) a contract variance or exception;
(C) a remedial action;
(D) an amendment to a contract;
(E) any assessed or paid liquidated damages;
(F) a key measures report;
(G) a progress report; and
(H) a final payment checklist.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), information described by Subdivisions (3)(A) and (B) of that subsection that relates to a retail electricity contract may not be disclosed until the delivery start date.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 2, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.0225. RIGHT OF ACCESS TO INVESTMENT INFORMATION. (a) Under the fundamental philosophy of American government described by Section 552.001, it is the policy of this state that investments of government are investments of and for the people and the people are entitled to information regarding those investments. The provisions of this section shall be liberally construed to implement this policy.
(b) The following categories of information held by a governmental body relating to its investments are public information and not excepted from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) the name of any fund or investment entity the governmental body is or has invested in;
(2) the date that a fund or investment entity described by Subdivision (1) was established;
(3) each date the governmental body invested in a fund or investment entity described by Subdivision (1);
(4) the amount of money, expressed in dollars, the governmental body has committed to a fund or investment entity;
(5) the amount of money, expressed in dollars, the governmental body is investing or has invested in any fund or investment entity;
(6) the total amount of money, expressed in dollars, the governmental body received from any fund or investment entity in connection with an investment;
(7) the internal rate of return or other standard used by a governmental body in connection with each fund or investment entity it is or has invested in and the date on which the return or other standard was calculated;
(8) the remaining value of any fund or investment entity the governmental body is or has invested in;
(9) the total amount of fees, including expenses, charges, and other compensation, assessed against the governmental body by, or paid by the governmental body to, any fund or investment entity or principal of any fund or investment entity in which the governmental body is or has invested;
(10) the names of the principals responsible for managing any fund or investment entity in which the governmental body is or has invested;
(11) each recusal filed by a member of the governing board in connection with a deliberation or action of the governmental body relating to an investment;
(12) a description of all of the types of businesses a governmental body is or has invested in through a fund or investment entity;
(13) the minutes and audio or video recordings of each open portion of a meeting of the governmental body at which an item described by this subsection was discussed;
(14) the governmental body's percentage ownership interest in a fund or investment entity the governmental body is or has invested in;
(15) any annual ethics disclosure report submitted to the governmental body by a fund or investment entity the governmental body is or has invested in; and
(16) the cash-on-cash return realized by the governmental body for a fund or investment entity the governmental body is or has invested in.
(c) This section does not apply to the Texas Mutual Insurance Company or a successor to the company.
(d) This section does not apply to a private investment fund's investment in restricted securities, as defined in Section 552.143.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1338 (S.B. 121), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Sec. 552.023. SPECIAL RIGHT OF ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. (a) A person or a person's authorized representative has a special right of access, beyond the right of the general public, to information held by a governmental body that relates to the person and that is protected from public disclosure by laws intended to protect that person's privacy interests.
(b) A governmental body may not deny access to information to the person, or the person's representative, to whom the information relates on the grounds that the information is considered confidential by privacy principles under this chapter but may assert as grounds for denial of access other provisions of this chapter or other law that are not intended to protect the person's privacy interests.
(c) A release of information under Subsections (a) and (b) is not an offense under Section 552.352.
(d) A person who receives information under this section may disclose the information to others only to the extent consistent with the authorized purposes for which consent to release the information was obtained.
(e) Access to information under this section shall be provided in the manner prescribed by Sections 552.229 and 552.307.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.024. ELECTING TO DISCLOSE ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), each employee or official of a governmental body and each former employee or official of a governmental body shall choose whether to allow public access to the information in the custody of the governmental body that relates to the person's home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or social security number, or that reveals whether the person has family members.
(a-1) A school district may not require an employee or former employee of the district to choose whether to allow public access to the employee's or former employee's social security number.
(b) Each employee and official and each former employee and official shall state that person's choice under Subsection (a) to the main personnel officer of the governmental body in a signed writing not later than the 14th day after the date on which:
(1) the employee begins employment with the governmental body;
(2) the official is elected or appointed; or
(3) the former employee or official ends service with the governmental body.
(c) If the employee or official or former employee or official chooses not to allow public access to the information:
(1) the information is protected under Subchapter C; and
(2) the governmental body may redact the information from any information the governmental body discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
(c-1) If, under Subsection (c)(2), a governmental body redacts or withholds information without requesting a decision from the attorney general about whether the information may be redacted or withheld, the requestor is entitled to seek a decision from the attorney general about the matter. The attorney general by rule shall establish procedures and deadlines for receiving information necessary to decide the matter and briefs from the requestor, the governmental body, and any other interested person. The attorney general shall promptly render a decision requested under this subsection, determining whether the redacted or withheld information was excepted from required disclosure to the requestor, not later than the 45th business day after the date the attorney general received the request for a decision under this subsection. The attorney general shall issue a written decision on the matter and provide a copy of the decision to the requestor, the governmental body, and any interested person who submitted necessary information or a brief to the attorney general about the matter. The requestor or the governmental body may appeal a decision of the attorney general under this subsection to a Travis County district court.
(c-2) A governmental body that redacts or withholds information under Subsection (c)(2) shall provide the following information to the requestor on a form prescribed by the attorney general:
(1) a description of the redacted or withheld information;
(2) a citation to this section; and
(3) instructions regarding how the requestor may seek a decision from the attorney general regarding whether the redacted or withheld information is excepted from required disclosure.
(d) If an employee or official or a former employee or official fails to state the person's choice within the period established by this section, the information is subject to public access.
(e) An employee or official or former employee or official of a governmental body who wishes to close or open public access to the information may request in writing that the main personnel officer of the governmental body close or open access.
(f) This section does not apply to a person to whom Section 552.1175 applies.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 119, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 283 (S.B. 1068), Sec. 1, eff. June 4, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 927 (S.B. 1638), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 183 (H.B. 2961), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.
Sec. 552.025. TAX RULINGS AND OPINIONS. (a) A governmental body with taxing authority that issues a written determination letter, technical advice memorandum, or ruling that concerns a tax matter shall index the letter, memorandum, or ruling by subject matter.
(b) On request, the governmental body shall make the index prepared under Subsection (a) and the document itself available to the public, subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(c) Subchapter C does not authorize withholding from the public or limiting the availability to the public of a written determination letter, technical advice memorandum, or ruling that concerns a tax matter and that is issued by a governmental body with taxing authority.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.026. EDUCATION RECORDS. This chapter does not require the release of information contained in education records of an educational agency or institution, except in conformity with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Sec. 513, Pub. L. No. 93-380, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.027. EXCEPTION: INFORMATION AVAILABLE COMMERCIALLY; RESOURCE MATERIAL. (a) A governmental body is not required under this chapter to allow the inspection of or to provide a copy of information in a commercial book or publication purchased or acquired by the governmental body for research purposes if the book or publication is commercially available to the public.
(b) Although information in a book or publication may be made available to the public as a resource material, such as a library book, a governmental body is not required to make a copy of the information in response to a request for public information.
(c) A governmental body shall allow the inspection of information in a book or publication that is made part of, incorporated into, or referred to in a rule or policy of a governmental body.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.028. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL. (a) A governmental body is not required to accept or comply with a request for information from:
(1) an individual who is imprisoned or confined in a correctional facility; or
(2) an agent of that individual, other than that individual's attorney when the attorney is requesting information that is subject to disclosure under this chapter.
(b) This section does not prohibit a governmental body from disclosing to an individual described by Subsection (a)(1), or that individual's agent, information held by the governmental body pertaining to that individual.
(c) In this section, "correctional facility" means:
(1) a secure correctional facility, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code;
(2) a secure correctional facility and a secure detention facility, as defined by Section 51.02, Family Code; and
(3) a place designated by the law of this state, another state, or the federal government for the confinement of a person arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a criminal offense.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 302, Sec. 1, eff. June 5, 1995. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 552.027 by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 31.01(44), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 154, Sec. 1, eff. May 21, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 735, Sec. 1, eff. June 13, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 45, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Sec. 552.029. RIGHT OF ACCESS TO CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO INMATE OF DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. Notwithstanding Section 508.313 or 552.134, the following information about an inmate who is confined in a facility operated by or under a contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is subject to required disclosure under Section 552.021:
(1) the inmate's name, identification number, age, birthplace, department photograph, physical description, or general state of health or the nature of an injury to or critical illness suffered by the inmate;
(2) the inmate's assigned unit or the date on which the unit received the inmate, unless disclosure of the information would violate federal law relating to the confidentiality of substance abuse treatment;
(3) the offense for which the inmate was convicted or the judgment and sentence for that offense;
(4) the county and court in which the inmate was convicted;
(5) the inmate's earliest or latest possible release dates;
(6) the inmate's parole date or earliest possible parole date;
(7) any prior confinement of the inmate by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or its predecessor; or
(8) basic information regarding the death of an inmate in custody, an incident involving the use of force, or an alleged crime involving the inmate.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 783, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 30, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.002(7), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1271 (H.B. 2197), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
SUBCHAPTER C. INFORMATION EXCEPTED FROM REQUIRED DISCLOSURE
Sec. 552.101. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information considered to be confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.102. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN PERSONNEL INFORMATION. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information in a personnel file, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, except that all information in the personnel file of an employee of a governmental body is to be made available to that employee or the employee's designated representative as public information is made available under this chapter. The exception to public disclosure created by this subsection is in addition to any exception created by Section 552.024. Public access to personnel information covered by Section 552.024 is denied to the extent provided by that section.
(b) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is a transcript from an institution of higher education maintained in the personnel file of a professional public school employee, except that this section does not exempt from disclosure the degree obtained or the curriculum on a transcript in the personnel file of the employee.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.103. EXCEPTION: LITIGATION OR SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS INVOLVING THE STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information relating to litigation of a civil or criminal nature to which the state or a political subdivision is or may be a party or to which an officer or employee of the state or a political subdivision, as a consequence of the person's office or employment, is or may be a party.
(b) For purposes of this section, the state or a political subdivision is considered to be a party to litigation of a criminal nature until the applicable statute of limitations has expired or until the defendant has exhausted all appellate and postconviction remedies in state and federal court.
(c) Information relating to litigation involving a governmental body or an officer or employee of a governmental body is excepted from disclosure under Subsection (a) only if the litigation is pending or reasonably anticipated on the date that the requestor applies to the officer for public information for access to or duplication of the information.
(d) The exception to disclosure provided by this section does not apply to information requested under this chapter if:
(1) the information relates to a general, primary, or special election, as those terms are defined by Section 1.005, Election Code;
(2) the information is in the possession of a governmental body that administers elections described by Subdivision (1); and
(3) the governmental body described by Subdivision (2) is not a governmental body described by Section 552.003(1)(A)(i).
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.104. EXCEPTION: INFORMATION RELATED TO COMPETITION OR BIDDING. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if a governmental body demonstrates that release of the information would harm its interests by providing an advantage to a competitor or bidder in a particular ongoing competitive situation or in a particular competitive situation where the governmental body establishes the situation at issue is set to reoccur or there is a specific and demonstrable intent to enter into the competitive situation again in the future.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the requirement of Section 552.022 that a category of information listed under Section 552.022(a) is public information and not excepted from required disclosure under this chapter unless expressly confidential under law does not apply to information that is excepted from required disclosure under this section.
(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to information described by Section 552.022(a) relating to the receipt or expenditure of public or other funds by a governmental body for a parade, concert, or other entertainment event paid for in whole or part with public funds. A person, including a governmental body, may not include a provision in a contract related to an event described by this subsection that prohibits or would otherwise prevent the disclosure of information described by this subsection. A contract provision that violates this subsection is void.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1272, Sec. 7.01, eff. June 15, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 45 (H.B. 81), Sec. 1, eff. May 17, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 3, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.105. EXCEPTION: INFORMATION RELATED TO LOCATION OR PRICE OF PROPERTY. Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information relating to:
(1) the location of real or personal property for a public purpose prior to public announcement of the project; or
(2) appraisals or purchase price of real or personal property for a public purpose prior to the formal award of contracts for the property.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.106. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS. (a) A draft or working paper involved in the preparation of proposed legislation is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b) An internal bill analysis or working paper prepared by the governor's office for the purpose of evaluating proposed legislation is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1437, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 1997.
Sec. 552.107. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS. Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) it is information that the attorney general or an attorney of a political subdivision is prohibited from disclosing because of a duty to the client under the Texas Rules of Evidence or the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct; or
(2) a court by order has prohibited disclosure of the information.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 8.014, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.108. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT, CORRECTIONS, AND PROSECUTORIAL INFORMATION. (a) Information held by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that deals with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) release of the information would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime;
(2) it is information that deals with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime only in relation to an investigation that did not result in conviction or deferred adjudication;
(3) it is information relating to a threat against a peace officer or detention officer collected or disseminated under Section 411.048; or
(4) it is information that:
(A) is prepared by an attorney representing the state in anticipation of or in the course of preparing for criminal litigation; or
(B) reflects the mental impressions or legal reasoning of an attorney representing the state.
(b) An internal record or notation of a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that is maintained for internal use in matters relating to law enforcement or prosecution is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) release of the internal record or notation would interfere with law enforcement or prosecution;
(2) the internal record or notation relates to law enforcement only in relation to an investigation that did not result in conviction or deferred adjudication; or
(3) the internal record or notation:
(A) is prepared by an attorney representing the state in anticipation of or in the course of preparing for criminal litigation; or
(B) reflects the mental impressions or legal reasoning of an attorney representing the state.
(c) This section does not except from the requirements of Section 552.021 information that is basic information about an arrested person, an arrest, or a crime. A governmental body shall promptly release basic information responsive to a request made under this chapter unless the governmental body seeks to withhold the information as provided by another provision of this chapter, and regardless of whether the governmental body requests an attorney general decision under Subchapter G regarding other information subject to the request.
Text of subsection as added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 986 (H.B. 30), Sec. 1
(d) The exception to disclosure provided by Subsection (a)(2) does not apply to information, records, or notations if:
(1) a person who is described by or depicted in the information, record, or notation, other than a peace officer, is deceased or incapacitated; or
(2) each person who is described by or depicted in the information, record, or notation, other than a person who is deceased or incapacitated, consents to the release of the information, record, or notation.
Text of subsection as added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 435), Sec. 1
(d) Notwithstanding other law, a prosecutor may permit a person to view the following evidence of a crime that resulted in the death of a person and that occurred in the prosecutor's jurisdiction:
(1) a medical examiner's report, if the person viewing the report is a family member of the person who is the subject of the report and the person who is the subject of the report was a victim of the crime; and
(2) video evidence of the crime, if the person viewing the video is a victim of the crime or a family member of a victim of the crime.
(e) A person permitted to view a medical examiner's report or video evidence under Subsection (d) may not duplicate, record, capture, or otherwise memorialize the information. A prosecutor may require a person to sign a confidentiality agreement before permitting the person to view the information.
(f) A permitted viewing of a medical examiner's report or video evidence under Subsection (d) is not a voluntary disclosure of information for purposes of Section 552.007(b). A governmental body, by providing information under Subsection (d) that is confidential or otherwise excepted from required disclosure under law, does not waive or affect the confidentiality of the information for purposes of state or federal law or waive the right to assert exceptions to required disclosure of the information in the future.
(g) Subsection (d) does not affect:
(1) the right of a person to obtain a medical examiner's report or video evidence of a crime from a governmental body under other law;
(2) the procedures under which the information is obtained under other law; or
(3) the use that may be made of the information obtained under other law.
(h) In this section:
(1) "Family member" means a person related to a victim of a crime within the first degree of consanguinity or affinity.
(2) "Medical examiner's report" means a report and the contents of such a report created by a medical examiner under Article 49.25, Code of Criminal Procedure, including an autopsy report and toxicology report. The term does not include a photograph or medical image contained in a report.
(3) "Victim" means an individual who suffered personal injury or death as a result of criminal conduct.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 474, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 557 (H.B. 1262), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 557 (H.B. 1262), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 435), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 986 (H.B. 30), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.1081. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING EXECUTION OF CONVICT. Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it contains identifying information under Article 43.14, Code of Criminal Procedure, including that of:
(1) any person who participates in an execution procedure, including a person who uses, supplies, or administers a substance during the execution; and
(2) any person or entity that manufactures, transports, tests, procures, compounds, prescribes, dispenses, or provides a substance or supplies used in an execution.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 209 (S.B. 1697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Sec. 552.1085. CONFIDENTIALITY OF SENSITIVE CRIME SCENE IMAGE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Deceased person's next of kin" means:
(A) the surviving spouse of the deceased person;
(B) if there is no surviving spouse of the deceased, an adult child of the deceased person; or
(C) if there is no surviving spouse or adult child of the deceased, a parent of the deceased person.
(2) "Defendant" means a person being prosecuted for the death of the deceased person or a person convicted of an offense in relation to that death and appealing that conviction.
(3) "Expressive work" means:
(A) a fictional or nonfictional entertainment, dramatic, literary, or musical work that is a play, book, article, musical composition, audiovisual work, radio or television program, work of art, or work of political, educational, or newsworthy value;
(B) a work the primary function of which is the delivery of news, information, current events, or other matters of public interest or concern; or
(C) an advertisement or commercial announcement of a work described by Paragraph (A) or (B).
(4) "Local governmental entity" means a county, municipality, school district, charter school, junior college district, or other political subdivision of this state.
(5) "Public or private institution of higher education" means:
(A) an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; or
(B) a private or independent institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(6) "Sensitive crime scene image" means a photograph or video recording taken at a crime scene, contained in or part of a closed criminal case, that depicts a deceased person in a state of dismemberment, decapitation, or similar mutilation or that depicts the deceased person's genitalia.
(7) "State agency" means a department, commission, board, office, or other agency that is a part of state government and that is created by the constitution or a statute of this state. The term includes an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) For purposes of this section, an Internet website, the primary function of which is not the delivery of news, information, current events, or other matters of public interest or concern, is not an expressive work.
(c) A sensitive crime scene image in the custody of a governmental body is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 and a governmental body may not permit a person to view or copy the image except as provided by this section. This section applies to any sensitive crime scene image regardless of the date that the image was taken or recorded.
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (c) and subject to Subsection (e), the following persons may view or copy information that constitutes a sensitive crime scene image from a governmental body:
(1) the deceased person's next of kin;
(2) a person authorized in writing by the deceased person's next of kin;
(3) a defendant or the defendant's attorney;
(4) a person who establishes to the governmental body an interest in a sensitive crime scene image that is based on, connected with, or in support of the creation, in any medium, of an expressive work;
(5) a person performing bona fide research sponsored by a public or private institution of higher education with approval of a supervisor of the research or a supervising faculty member;
(6) a state agency;
(7) an agency of the federal government; or
(8) a local governmental entity.
(e) This section does not prohibit a governmental body from asserting an exception to disclosure of a sensitive crime scene image to a person identified in Subsection (d) on the grounds that the image is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 under another provision of this chapter or another law.
(f) Not later than the 10th business day after the date a governmental body receives a request for a sensitive crime scene image from a person described by Subsection (d)(4) or (5), the governmental body shall notify the deceased person's next of kin of the request in writing. The notice must be sent to the next of kin's last known address.
(g) A governmental body that receives a request for information that constitutes a sensitive crime scene image shall allow a person described in Subsection (d) to view or copy the image not later than the 10th business day after the date the governmental body receives the request unless the governmental body files a request for an attorney general decision under Subchapter G regarding whether an exception to public disclosure applies to the information.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1360 (S.B. 1512), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.
Sec. 552.109. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN PRIVATE COMMUNICATIONS OF AN ELECTED OFFICE HOLDER. Private correspondence or communications of an elected office holder relating to matters the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of privacy are excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.110. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF TRADE SECRETS; CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION. (a) In this section, "trade secret" means all forms and types of information, including business, scientific, technical, economic, or engineering information, and any formula, design, prototype, pattern, plan, compilation, program device, program, code, device, method, technique, process, procedure, financial data, or list of actual or potential customers or suppliers, whether tangible or intangible and whether or however stored, compiled, or memorialized physically, electronically, graphically, photographically, or in writing if:
(1) the owner of the trade secret has taken reasonable measures under the circumstances to keep the information secret; and
(2) the information derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable through proper means by, another person who can obtain economic value from the disclosure or use of the information.
(b) Except as provided by Section 552.0222, information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is demonstrated based on specific factual evidence that the information is a trade secret.
(c) Except as provided by Section 552.0222, commercial or financial information for which it is demonstrated based on specific factual evidence that disclosure would cause substantial competitive harm to the person from whom the information was obtained is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 4, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.1101. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. (a) Except as provided by Section 552.0222, information submitted to a governmental body by a vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor in response to a request for a bid, proposal, or qualification is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor that the information relates to demonstrates based on specific factual evidence that disclosure of the information would:
(1) reveal an individual approach to:
(A) work;
(B) organizational structure;
(C) staffing;
(D) internal operations;
(E) processes; or
(F) discounts, pricing methodology, pricing per kilowatt hour, cost data, or other pricing information that will be used in future solicitation or bid documents; and
(2) give advantage to a competitor.
(b) The exception to disclosure provided by Subsection (a) does not apply to:
(1) information in a voucher or contract relating to the receipt or expenditure of public funds by a governmental body; or
(2) communications and other information sent between a governmental body and a vendor or contractor related to the performance of a final contract with the governmental body or work performed on behalf of the governmental body.
(c) The exception to disclosure provided by Subsection (a) may be asserted only by a vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor in the manner described by Section 552.305(b) for the purpose of protecting the interests of the vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor. A governmental body shall decline to release information as provided by Section 552.305(a) to the extent necessary to allow a vendor, contractor, potential vendor, or potential contractor to assert the exception to disclosure provided by Subsection (a).
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 5, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.111. EXCEPTION: AGENCY MEMORANDA. An interagency or intraagency memorandum or letter that would not be available by law to a party in litigation with the agency is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.112. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO REGULATION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OR SECURITIES. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information contained in or relating to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by or for an agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions or securities, or both.
(b) In this section, "securities" has the meaning assigned by The Securities Act (Title 12, Government Code).
(c) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information submitted by an individual or other entity to the Texas Legislative Council, or to any state agency or department overseen by the Finance Commission of Texas and the information has been or will be sent to the Texas Legislative Council, for the purpose of performing a statistical or demographic analysis of information subject to Section 323.020. However, this subsection does not except from the requirements of Section 552.021 information that does not identify or tend to identify an individual or other entity and that is subject to required public disclosure under Section 323.020(e).
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 918, Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 491 (H.B. 4171), Sec. 2.19, eff. January 1, 2022.
Sec. 552.113. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF GEOLOGICAL OR GEOPHYSICAL INFORMATION. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is:
(1) an electric log confidential under Subchapter M, Chapter 91, Natural Resources Code;
(2) geological or geophysical information or data, including maps concerning wells, except information filed in connection with an application or proceeding before an agency; or
(3) confidential under Subsections (c) through (f).
(b) Information that is shown to or examined by an employee of the General Land Office, but not retained in the land office, is not considered to be filed with the land office.
(c) In this section:
(1) "Confidential material" includes all well logs, geological, geophysical, geochemical, and other similar data, including maps and other interpretations of the material filed in the General Land Office:
(A) in connection with any administrative application or proceeding before the land commissioner, the school land board, any board for lease, or the commissioner's or board's staff; or
(B) in compliance with the requirements of any law, rule, lease, or agreement.
(2) "Electric logs" has the same meaning as it has in Chapter 91, Natural Resources Code.
(3) "Administrative applications" and "administrative proceedings" include applications for pooling or unitization, review of shut-in royalty payments, review of leases or other agreements to determine their validity, review of any plan of operations, review of the obligation to drill offset wells, or an application to pay compensatory royalty.
(d) Confidential material, except electric logs, filed in the General Land Office on or after September 1, 1985, is public information and is available to the public under Section 552.021 on and after the later of:
(1) five years from the filing date of the confidential material; or
(2) one year from the expiration, termination, or forfeiture of the lease in connection with which the confidential material was filed.
(e) Electric logs filed in the General Land Office on or after September 1, 1985, are either public information or confidential material to the same extent and for the same periods provided for the same logs by Chapter 91, Natural Resources Code. A person may request that an electric log that has been filed in the General Land Office be made confidential by filing with the land office a copy of the written request for confidentiality made to the Railroad Commission of Texas for the same log.
(f) The following are public information:
(1) electric logs filed in the General Land Office before September 1, 1985; and
(2) confidential material, except electric logs, filed in the General Land Office before September 1, 1985, provided, that Subsection (d) governs the disclosure of that confidential material filed in connection with a lease that is a valid and subsisting lease on September 1, 1995.
(g) Confidential material may be disclosed at any time if the person filing the material, or the person's successor in interest in the lease in connection with which the confidential material was filed, consents in writing to its release. A party consenting to the disclosure of confidential material may restrict the manner of disclosure and the person or persons to whom the disclosure may be made.
(h) Notwithstanding the confidential nature of the material described in this section, the material may be used by the General Land Office in the enforcement, by administrative proceeding or litigation, of the laws governing the sale and lease of public lands and minerals, the regulations of the land office, the school land board, or of any board for lease, or the terms of any lease, pooling or unitization agreement, or any other agreement or grant.
(i) An administrative hearings officer may order that confidential material introduced in an administrative proceeding remain confidential until the proceeding is finally concluded, or for the period provided in Subsection (d), whichever is later.
(j) Confidential material examined by an administrative hearings officer during the course of an administrative proceeding for the purpose of determining its admissibility as evidence shall not be considered to have been filed in the General Land Office to the extent that the confidential material is not introduced into evidence at the proceeding.
(k) This section does not prevent a person from asserting that any confidential material is exempt from disclosure as a trade secret or commercial information under Section 552.110 or under any other basis permitted by law.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 279 (H.B. 878), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 279 (H.B. 878), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2013.
Sec. 552.114. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS. (a) In this section, "student record" means:
(1) information that constitutes education records as that term is defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g(a)(4)); or
(2) information in a record of an applicant for admission to an educational institution, including a transfer applicant.
(b) Information is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information in a student record at an educational institution funded wholly or partly by state revenue. This subsection does not prohibit the disclosure or provision of information included in an education record if the disclosure or provision is authorized by 20 U.S.C. Section 1232g or other federal law.
(c) A record covered by Subsection (b) shall be made available on the request of:
(1) educational institution personnel;
(2) the student involved or the student's parent, legal guardian, or spouse; or
(3) a person conducting a child abuse investigation required by Subchapter D, Chapter 261, Family Code.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an educational institution may redact information covered under Subsection (b) from information disclosed under Section 552.021 without requesting a decision from the attorney general.
(e) If an applicant for admission to an educational institution described by Subsection (b) or a parent or legal guardian of a minor applicant to an educational institution described by Subsection (b) requests information in the record of the applicant, the educational institution shall disclose any information that:
(1) is related to the applicant's application for admission; and
(2) was provided to the educational institution by the applicant.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 7.38, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 828 (H.B. 4046), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Sec. 552.115. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF BIRTH AND DEATH RECORDS. (a) A birth or death record maintained by the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services or a local registration official is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021, except that:
(1) a birth record is public information and available to the public on and after the 75th anniversary of the date of birth as shown on the record filed with the vital statistics unit or local registration official;
(2) a death record is public information and available to the public on and after the 25th anniversary of the date of death as shown on the record filed with the vital statistics unit or local registration official, except that if the decedent is unidentified, the death record is public information and available to the public on and after the first anniversary of the date of death;
(3) a general birth index or a general death index established or maintained by the vital statistics unit or a local registration official is public information and available to the public to the extent the index relates to a birth record or death record that is public information and available to the public under Subdivision (1) or (2);
(4) a summary birth index or a summary death index prepared or maintained by the vital statistics unit or a local registration official is public information and available to the public; and
(5) a birth or death record is available to the chief executive officer of a home-rule municipality or the officer's designee if:
(A) the record is used only to identify a property owner or other person to whom the municipality is required to give notice when enforcing a state statute or an ordinance;
(B) the municipality has exercised due diligence in the manner described by Section 54.035(e), Local Government Code, to identify the person; and
(C) the officer or designee signs a confidentiality agreement that requires that:
(i) the information not be disclosed outside the office of the officer or designee, or within the office for a purpose other than the purpose described by Paragraph (A);
(ii) the information be labeled as confidential;
(iii) the information be kept securely; and
(iv) the number of copies made of the information or the notes taken from the information that implicate the confidential nature of the information be controlled, with all copies or notes that are not destroyed or returned remaining confidential and subject to the confidentiality agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a general birth index or a summary birth index is not public information and is not available to the public if:
(1) the fact of an adoption or paternity determination can be revealed by the index; or
(2) the index contains specific identifying information relating to the parents of a child who is the subject of an adoption placement.
(c) Subsection (a)(1) does not apply to the microfilming agreement entered into by the Genealogical Society of Utah, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Utah, and the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
(d) For the purposes of fulfilling the terms of the agreement in Subsection (c), the Genealogical Society of Utah shall have access to birth records on and after the 50th anniversary of the date of birth as shown on the record filed with the bureau of vital statistics or local registration official, but such birth records shall not be made available to the public until the 75th anniversary of the date of birth as shown on the record.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 706, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 413, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1192, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 311 (S.B. 1485), Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 2015.
Sec. 552.116. EXCEPTION: AUDIT WORKING PAPERS. (a) An audit working paper of an audit of the state auditor or the auditor of a state agency, an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, a county, a municipality, a school district, a hospital district, or a joint board operating under Section 22.074, Transportation Code, including any audit relating to the criminal history background check of a public school employee, is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021. If information in an audit working paper is also maintained in another record, that other record is not excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 by this section.
(b) In this section:
(1) "Audit" means an audit authorized or required by a statute of this state or the United States, the charter or an ordinance of a municipality, an order of the commissioners court of a county, the bylaws adopted by or other action of the governing board of a hospital district, a resolution or other action of a board of trustees of a school district, including an audit by the district relating to the criminal history background check of a public school employee, or a resolution or other action of a joint board described by Subsection (a) and includes an investigation.
(2) "Audit working paper" includes all information, documentary or otherwise, prepared or maintained in conducting an audit or preparing an audit report, including:
(A) intra-agency and interagency communications; and
(B) drafts of the audit report or portions of those drafts.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1122, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 379, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1285), Sec. 1, eff. May 27, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1285), Sec. 2, eff. May 27, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1372 (S.B. 9), Sec. 24, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1372 (S.B. 9), Sec. 25, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1170 (H.B. 2947), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1170 (H.B. 2947), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.
Sec. 552.117. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, AND PERSONAL FAMILY INFORMATION.
Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2025
(a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information that relates to the home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or social security number of the following person or that reveals whether the person has family members:
(1) a current or former official or employee of a governmental body, except as otherwise provided by Section 552.024;
(2) a current or honorably retired peace officer as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a current or honorably retired security officer commissioned under Section 51.212, Education Code, regardless of whether the officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
(3) a current or former employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or of the predecessor in function of the department or any division of the department, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.1175;
(4) a peace officer as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or other law, a reserve law enforcement officer, a commissioned deputy game warden, or a corrections officer in a municipal, county, or state penal institution in this state who was killed in the line of duty, regardless of whether the deceased complied with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(5) a commissioned security officer as defined by Section 1702.002, Occupations Code, regardless of whether the officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
(6) an officer or employee of a community supervision and corrections department established under Chapter 76 who performs a duty described by Section 76.004(b), regardless of whether the officer or employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(7) a current or former employee of the office of the attorney general who is or was assigned to a division of that office the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed under Chapter 231, Family Code, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(8) a current or former employee of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or of the predecessors in function of the department, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(9) a current or former juvenile probation or supervision officer certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or the predecessors in function of the department, under Title 12, Human Resources Code, regardless of whether the current or former officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(10) a current or former employee of a juvenile justice program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section 261.405, Family Code, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(11) a current or former member of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001;
(12) a current or former district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters, regardless of whether the current or former attorney complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(13) a current or former employee of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(14) a current or former employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or of the predecessor in function of the office or a division of the office, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(15) a current or former federal judge or state judge, as those terms are defined by Section 1.005, Election Code, a federal bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals Service, a United States attorney, or a family member of a current or former federal judge, including a federal bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals Service, a United States attorney, or a state judge;
(16) a current or former child protective services caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator for the Department of Family and Protective Services, regardless of whether the caseworker or investigator complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, or a current or former employee of a department contractor performing child protective services caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator functions for the contractor on behalf of the department;
(17) an elected public officer, regardless of whether the officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(18) a current or former United States attorney, assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender and the spouse or child of the current or former attorney or public defender, regardless of whether the person complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175; or
(19) a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code, regardless of whether the firefighter or volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel comply with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable.
Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2025
(a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information that relates to the home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or social security number of the following person or that reveals whether the person has family members:
(1) a current or former official or employee of a governmental body, except as otherwise provided by Section 552.024;
(2) a current or honorably retired peace officer as defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a current or honorably retired security officer commissioned under Section 51.212, Education Code, regardless of whether the officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
(3) a current or former employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or of the predecessor in function of the department or any division of the department, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.1175;
(4) a peace officer as defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or other law, a reserve law enforcement officer, a commissioned deputy game warden, or a corrections officer in a municipal, county, or state penal institution in this state who was killed in the line of duty, regardless of whether the deceased complied with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(5) a commissioned security officer as defined by Section 1702.002, Occupations Code, regardless of whether the officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
(6) an officer or employee of a community supervision and corrections department established under Chapter 76 who performs a duty described by Section 76.004(b), regardless of whether the officer or employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(7) a current or former employee of the office of the attorney general who is or was assigned to a division of that office the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed under Chapter 231, Family Code, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(8) a current or former employee of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or of the predecessors in function of the department, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(9) a current or former juvenile probation or supervision officer certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or the predecessors in function of the department, under Title 12, Human Resources Code, regardless of whether the current or former officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(10) a current or former employee of a juvenile justice program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section 261.405, Family Code, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(11) a current or former member of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001;
(12) a current or former district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters, regardless of whether the current or former attorney complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(13) a current or former employee of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(14) a current or former employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or of the predecessor in function of the office or a division of the office, regardless of whether the current or former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(15) a current or former federal judge or state judge, as those terms are defined by Section 1.005, Election Code, a federal bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals Service, a United States attorney, or a family member of a current or former federal judge, including a federal bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals Service, a United States attorney, or a state judge;
(16) a current or former child protective services caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator for the Department of Family and Protective Services, regardless of whether the caseworker or investigator complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, or a current or former employee of a department contractor performing child protective services caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator functions for the contractor on behalf of the department;
(17) an elected public officer, regardless of whether the officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
(18) a current or former United States attorney, assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender and the spouse or child of the current or former attorney or public defender, regardless of whether the person complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175; or
(19) a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code, regardless of whether the firefighter or volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel comply with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable.
(b) All documents filed with a county clerk and all documents filed with a district clerk are exempt from this section.
(c) In this section, "family member" has the meaning assigned by Section 31.006, Finance Code.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 512, Sec. 1, eff. May 31, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1318, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 119, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 947, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 621 (H.B. 455), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 927 (S.B. 1638), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 953 (H.B. 1046), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1033 (H.B. 2733), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 170 (H.B. 2152), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 527 (H.B. 1311), Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 34 (S.B. 1576), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 190 (S.B. 42), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1006 (H.B. 1278), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 367 (H.B. 1351), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 633 (S.B. 1494), Sec. 1, eff. June 10, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1146 (H.B. 2910), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1213 (S.B. 662), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1245 (H.B. 2446), Sec. 4, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 65 (H.B. 1082), Sec. 1, eff. May 19, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 383 (S.B. 1134), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 383 (S.B. 1134), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 507 (S.B. 56), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 590 (S.B. 841), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 9.010, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 152 (S.B. 870), Sec. 21, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.097, eff. January 1, 2025.
Text of section effective until January 01, 2025
Sec. 552.1175. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION OF PEACE OFFICERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS PERFORMING SENSITIVE GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. (a) This section applies only to:
(1) current or honorably retired peace officers as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or special investigators as described by Article 2.122, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(2) current or honorably retired county jailers as defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code;
(3) current or former employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or of the predecessor in function of the department or any division of the department;
(4) commissioned security officers as defined by Section 1702.002, Occupations Code;
(5) a current or former district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters;
(5-a) a current or former employee of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters;
(6) officers and employees of a community supervision and corrections department established under Chapter 76 who perform a duty described by Section 76.004(b);
(7) criminal investigators of the United States as described by Article 2.122(a), Code of Criminal Procedure;
(8) current or honorably retired police officers and inspectors of the United States Federal Protective Service;
(9) current and former employees of the office of the attorney general who are or were assigned to a division of that office the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed under Chapter 231, Family Code;
(10) current or former juvenile probation and detention officers certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or the predecessors in function of the department, under Title 12, Human Resources Code;
(11) current or former employees of a juvenile justice program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section 261.405, Family Code;
(12) current or former employees of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or the predecessors in function of the department;
(13) federal judges and state judges as defined by Section 1.005, Election Code;
(14) current or former employees of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or of the predecessor in function of the office or a division of the office;
(15) a current or former member of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001;
(16) a current or former child protective services caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator for the Department of Family and Protective Services or a current or former employee of a department contractor performing child protective services caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator functions for the contractor on behalf of the department;
(17) an elected public officer;
(18) a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code; and
(19) a current or former United States attorney, assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender.
(b) Information that relates to the home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, date of birth, or social security number of an individual to whom this section applies, or that reveals whether the individual has family members is confidential and may not be disclosed to the public under this chapter if the individual to whom the information relates:
(1) chooses to restrict public access to the information; and
(2) notifies the governmental body of the individual's choice on a form provided by the governmental body, accompanied by evidence of the individual's status.
(c) A choice made under Subsection (b) remains valid until rescinded in writing by the individual.
(d) This section does not apply to information in the tax appraisal records of an appraisal district to which Section 25.025, Tax Code, applies.
(e) All documents filed with a county clerk and all documents filed with a district clerk are exempt from this section.
(f) A governmental body may redact information that must be withheld under Subsection (b) from any information the governmental body discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
(g) If, under Subsection (f), a governmental body redacts or withholds information without requesting a decision from the attorney general about whether the information may be redacted or withheld, the requestor is entitled to seek a decision from the attorney general about the matter. The attorney general by rule shall establish procedures and deadlines for receiving information necessary to decide the matter and briefs from the requestor, the governmental body, and any other interested person. The attorney general shall promptly render a decision requested under this subsection, determining whether the redacted or withheld information was excepted from required disclosure to the requestor, not later than the 45th business day after the date the attorney general received the request for a decision under this subsection. The attorney general shall issue a written decision on the matter and provide a copy of the decision to the requestor, the governmental body, and any interested person who submitted necessary information or a brief to the attorney general about the matter. The requestor or the governmental body may appeal a decision of the attorney general under this subsection to a Travis County district court.
(h) A governmental body that redacts or withholds information under Subsection (f) shall provide the following information to the requestor on a form prescribed by the attorney general:
(1) a description of the redacted or withheld information;
(2) a citation to this section; and
(3) instructions regarding how the requestor may seek a decision from the attorney general regarding whether the redacted or withheld information is excepted from required disclosure.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 119, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 947, Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 715 (S.B. 450), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 715 (S.B. 450), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 621 (H.B. 455), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 283 (S.B. 1068), Sec. 2, eff. June 4, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 732 (S.B. 390), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 927 (S.B. 1638), Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 953 (H.B. 1046), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 937 (H.B. 1632), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 937 (H.B. 1632), Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1033 (H.B. 2733), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1033 (H.B. 2733), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 527 (H.B. 1311), Sec. 2, eff. June 16, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1236 (S.B. 1296), Sec. 9.008, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 34 (S.B. 1576), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1006 (H.B. 1278), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 367 (H.B. 1351), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 367 (H.B. 1351), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 633 (S.B. 1494), Sec. 2, eff. June 10, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 633 (S.B. 1494), Sec. 3, eff. June 10, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1146 (H.B. 2910), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1213 (S.B. 662), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1213 (S.B. 662), Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1245 (H.B. 2446), Sec. 5, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1245 (H.B. 2446), Sec. 6, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 65 (H.B. 1082), Sec. 2, eff. May 19, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 507 (S.B. 56), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 590 (S.B. 841), Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 9.011, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 152 (S.B. 870), Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.098, eff. January 1, 2025.
Text of section effective on January 01, 2025
Sec. 552.1175. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION OF PEACE OFFICERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS PERFORMING SENSITIVE GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. (a) This section applies only to:
(1) current or honorably retired peace officers as defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or special investigators as described by Article 2A.002, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(2) current or honorably retired county jailers as defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code;
(3) current or former employees of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or of the predecessor in function of the department or any division of the department;
(4) commissioned security officers as defined by Section 1702.002, Occupations Code;
(5) a current or former district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters;
(5-a) a current or former employee of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services matters;
(6) officers and employees of a community supervision and corrections department established under Chapter 76 who perform a duty described by Section 76.004(b);
(7) criminal investigators of the United States as described by Article 2A.002(a), Code of Criminal Procedure;
(8) current or honorably retired police officers and inspectors of the United States Federal Protective Service;
(9) current and former employees of the office of the attorney general who are or were assigned to a division of that office the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed under Chapter 231, Family Code;
(10) current or former juvenile probation and detention officers certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or the predecessors in function of the department, under Title 12, Human Resources Code;
(11) current or former employees of a juvenile justice program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section 261.405, Family Code;
(12) current or former employees of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or the predecessors in function of the department;
(13) federal judges and state judges as defined by Section 1.005, Election Code;
(14) current or former employees of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or of the predecessor in function of the office or a division of the office;
(15) a current or former member of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001;
(16) a current or former child protective services caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator for the Department of Family and Protective Services or a current or former employee of a department contractor performing child protective services caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator functions for the contractor on behalf of the department;
(17) an elected public officer;
(18) a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code; and
(19) a current or former United States attorney, assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender.
(b) Information that relates to the home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, date of birth, or social security number of an individual to whom this section applies, or that reveals whether the individual has family members is confidential and may not be disclosed to the public under this chapter if the individual to whom the information relates:
(1) chooses to restrict public access to the information; and
(2) notifies the governmental body of the individual's choice on a form provided by the governmental body, accompanied by evidence of the individual's status.
(c) A choice made under Subsection (b) remains valid until rescinded in writing by the individual.
(d) This section does not apply to information in the tax appraisal records of an appraisal district to which Section 25.025, Tax Code, applies.
(e) All documents filed with a county clerk and all documents filed with a district clerk are exempt from this section.
(f) A governmental body may redact information that must be withheld under Subsection (b) from any information the governmental body discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
(g) If, under Subsection (f), a governmental body redacts or withholds information without requesting a decision from the attorney general about whether the information may be redacted or withheld, the requestor is entitled to seek a decision from the attorney general about the matter. The attorney general by rule shall establish procedures and deadlines for receiving information necessary to decide the matter and briefs from the requestor, the governmental body, and any other interested person. The attorney general shall promptly render a decision requested under this subsection, determining whether the redacted or withheld information was excepted from required disclosure to the requestor, not later than the 45th business day after the date the attorney general received the request for a decision under this subsection. The attorney general shall issue a written decision on the matter and provide a copy of the decision to the requestor, the governmental body, and any interested person who submitted necessary information or a brief to the attorney general about the matter. The requestor or the governmental body may appeal a decision of the attorney general under this subsection to a Travis County district court.
(h) A governmental body that redacts or withholds information under Subsection (f) shall provide the following information to the requestor on a form prescribed by the attorney general:
(1) a description of the redacted or withheld information;
(2) a citation to this section; and
(3) instructions regarding how the requestor may seek a decision from the attorney general regarding whether the redacted or withheld information is excepted from required disclosure.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 119, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 947, Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 715 (S.B. 450), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 715 (S.B. 450), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 621 (H.B. 455), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 283 (S.B. 1068), Sec. 2, eff. June 4, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 732 (S.B. 390), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 927 (S.B. 1638), Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 953 (H.B. 1046), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 937 (H.B. 1632), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 937 (H.B. 1632), Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1033 (H.B. 2733), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1033 (H.B. 2733), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 527 (H.B. 1311), Sec. 2, eff. June 16, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1236 (S.B. 1296), Sec. 9.008, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 34 (S.B. 1576), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1006 (H.B. 1278), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 367 (H.B. 1351), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 367 (H.B. 1351), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 633 (S.B. 1494), Sec. 2, eff. June 10, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 633 (S.B. 1494), Sec. 3, eff. June 10, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1146 (H.B. 2910), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1213 (S.B. 662), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1213 (S.B. 662), Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1245 (H.B. 2446), Sec. 5, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1245 (H.B. 2446), Sec. 6, eff. June 14, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 65 (H.B. 1082), Sec. 2, eff. May 19, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 507 (S.B. 56), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 590 (S.B. 841), Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 9.011, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 152 (S.B. 870), Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.098, eff. January 1, 2025.
Sec. 552.1176. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION MAINTAINED BY STATE BAR. (a) Information maintained under Chapter 81 is confidential and may not be disclosed to the public under this chapter if the information:
(1) is a license application; or
(2) relates to the home address, home telephone number, electronic mail address, social security number, date of birth, driver's license number, state identification number, passport number, emergency contact information, or payment information of an individual licensed to practice law in this state.
(b) Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 73 (S.B. 510), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2023.
(c) All documents filed with a county clerk and all documents filed with a district clerk are exempt from this section.
(d) Subsection (a) does not make confidential or except from required public disclosure the name, state bar identification number, membership class, or eligibility to practice law of an applicant for a license, a license holder, or an individual who previously held a license.
(e) To the extent of any conflict, this section prevails over another law that authorizes or requires the release of information maintained by the State Bar of Texas.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 95 (H.B. 1237), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 73 (S.B. 510), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 73 (S.B. 510), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.11765. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION MAINTAINED BY STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY. (a) In this section, "license" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, or other authorization that:
(1) is issued by a governmental body described by Section 552.003(1)(A)(i); and
(2) an individual must obtain to practice or engage in a particular business, occupation, or profession.
(b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d), information maintained by a governmental body described by Section 552.003(1)(A)(i) is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the information:
(1) is a license application; or
(2) relates to the home address, home telephone number, electronic mail address, social security number, date of birth, driver's license number, state identification number, passport number, emergency contact information, or payment information of:
(A) an applicant for a license issued by the governmental body;
(B) an individual who holds a license issued by the governmental body; or
(C) an individual who previously held a license issued by the governmental body.
(c) Subsection (b) does not make confidential or except from required public disclosure the name, license number, or license status of an applicant for a license, a license holder, or an individual who previously held a license.
(d) For a license issued under Chapter 42, 43, 103, or 161, Human Resources Code, or Chapter 142, 242, 247, 248A, 250, or 252, Health and Safety Code, Subsection (b) does not prohibit the disclosure of:
(1) the last four digits of the social security number of a license holder in connection with a verification of employability or an employee misconduct registry search provided by the Health and Human Services Commission;
(2) a home address where activity regulated by the licensing authority occurs; or
(3) an e-mail address or phone number associated with activity regulated by the licensing authority.
(e) To the extent of any conflict, this section prevails over another law that authorizes or requires the release of information maintained by a governmental body.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 73 (S.B. 510), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.1177. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATED TO HUMANE DISPOSITION OF ANIMAL. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), information is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the information relates to the name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, driver's license number, social security number, or other personally identifying information of a person who obtains ownership or control of an animal from a municipality or county making a humane disposition of the animal under a municipal ordinance or an order of the commissioners court.
(b) A governmental body may disclose information made confidential by Subsection (a) to a governmental entity, or to a person who under a contract with a governmental entity provides animal control services, animal registration services, or related services to the governmental entity, for purposes related to the protection of public health and safety.
(c) A governmental entity or other person that receives information under Subsection (b):
(1) must maintain the confidentiality of the information;
(2) may not disclose the information under this chapter; and
(3) may not use the information for a purpose that does not directly relate to the protection of public health and safety.
(d) A governmental body, by providing public information under Subsection (b) that is confidential or otherwise excepted from required disclosure under law, does not waive or affect the confidentiality of the information for purposes of state or federal law or waive the right to assert exceptions to required disclosure of the information in the future.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 858 (H.B. 2828), Sec. 1, eff. June 10, 2019.
Sec. 552.118. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF OFFICIAL PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM INFORMATION. Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is:
(1) information on or derived from an official prescription form filed with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy under Section 481.0755, Health and Safety Code, or an electronic prescription record filed with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy under Section 481.075, Health and Safety Code; or
(2) other information collected under Section 481.075 or 481.0755 of that code.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 745, Sec. 35, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 251, Sec. 30, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1228 (S.B. 594), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1268 (S.B. 195), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2016.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1105 (H.B. 2174), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.119. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS OF PEACE OFFICERS.
Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2025
(a) A photograph that depicts a peace officer as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, the release of which would endanger the life or physical safety of the officer, is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 unless:
(1) the officer is under indictment or charged with an offense by information;
(2) the officer is a party in a civil service hearing or a case in arbitration; or
(3) the photograph is introduced as evidence in a judicial proceeding.
Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2025
(a) A photograph that depicts a peace officer as defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, the release of which would endanger the life or physical safety of the officer, is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 unless:
(1) the officer is under indictment or charged with an offense by information;
(2) the officer is a party in a civil service hearing or a case in arbitration; or
(3) the photograph is introduced as evidence in a judicial proceeding.
(b) A photograph excepted from disclosure under Subsection (a) may be made public only if the peace officer gives written consent to the disclosure.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 8 (S.B. 148), Sec. 1, eff. May 3, 2005.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.099, eff. January 1, 2025.
Sec. 552.120. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN RARE BOOKS AND ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS. A rare book or original manuscript that was not created or maintained in the conduct of official business of a governmental body and that is held by a private or public archival and manuscript repository for the purpose of historical research is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.121. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS HELD FOR HISTORICAL RESEARCH. An oral history interview, personal paper, unpublished letter, or organizational record of a nongovernmental entity that was not created or maintained in the conduct of official business of a governmental body and that is held by a private or public archival and manuscript repository for the purpose of historical research is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 to the extent that the archival and manuscript repository and the donor of the interview, paper, letter, or record agree to limit disclosure of the item.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.122. EXCEPTION: TEST ITEMS. (a) A test item developed by an educational institution that is funded wholly or in part by state revenue is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b) A test item developed by a licensing agency or governmental body is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.05(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.123. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF NAME OF APPLICANT FOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION. The name of an applicant for the position of chief executive officer of an institution of higher education, and other information that would tend to identify the applicant, is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021, except that the governing body of the institution must give public notice of the name or names of the finalists being considered for the position at least 21 days before the date of the meeting at which final action or vote is to be taken on the employment of the person.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1049 (S.B. 5), Sec. 5.01, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.1235. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF IDENTITY OF PRIVATE DONOR TO INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) The name or other information that would tend to disclose the identity of a person, other than a governmental body, who makes a gift, grant, or donation of money or property to an institution of higher education or to another person with the intent that the money or property be transferred to an institution of higher education is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b) Subsection (a) does not except from required disclosure other information relating to gifts, grants, and donations described by Subsection (a), including the amount or value of an individual gift, grant, or donation.
(c) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1266, Sec. 4.07, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.124. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS OF LIBRARY OR LIBRARY SYSTEM. (a) A record of a library or library system, supported in whole or in part by public funds, that identifies or serves to identify a person who requested, obtained, or used a library material or service is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 unless the record is disclosed:
(1) because the library or library system determines that disclosure is reasonably necessary for the operation of the library or library system and the record is not confidential under other state or federal law;
(2) under Section 552.023; or
(3) to a law enforcement agency or a prosecutor under a court order or subpoena obtained after a showing to a district court that:
(A) disclosure of the record is necessary to protect the public safety; or
(B) the record is evidence of an offense or constitutes evidence that a particular person committed an offense.
(b) A record of a library or library system that is excepted from required disclosure under this section is confidential.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.03(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 16, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.125. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN AUDITS. Any documents or information privileged under Chapter 1101, Health and Safety Code, are excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 219, Sec. 14, eff. May 23, 1995. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 552.124 by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 31.01(45), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 20.002(c), eff. September 1, 2017.
Sec. 552.126. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF NAME OF APPLICANT FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The name of an applicant for the position of superintendent of a public school district is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021, except that the board of trustees must give public notice of the name or names of the finalists being considered for the position at least 21 days before the date of the meeting at which a final action or vote is to be taken on the employment of the person.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 31, eff. May 30, 1995. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 552.124 by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 31.01(46), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.127. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO PARTICIPANTS IN NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH ORGANIZATION. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the information identifies a person as a participant in a neighborhood crime watch organization and relates to the name, home address, business address, home telephone number, or business telephone number of the person.
(b) In this section, "neighborhood crime watch organization" means a group of residents of a neighborhood or part of a neighborhood that is formed in affiliation or association with a law enforcement agency in this state to observe activities within the neighborhood or part of a neighborhood and to take other actions intended to reduce crime in that area.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 719, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.128. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY POTENTIAL VENDOR OR CONTRACTOR. (a) Information submitted by a potential vendor or contractor to a governmental body in connection with an application for certification as a historically underutilized or disadvantaged business under a local, state, or federal certification program is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021, except as provided by this section.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 552.007 and except as provided by Subsection (c), the information may be disclosed only:
(1) to a state or local governmental entity in this state, and the state or local governmental entity may use the information only:
(A) for purposes related to verifying an applicant's status as a historically underutilized or disadvantaged business; or
(B) for the purpose of conducting a study of a public purchasing program established under state law for historically underutilized or disadvantaged businesses; or
(2) with the express written permission of the applicant or the applicant's agent.
(c) Information submitted by a vendor or contractor or a potential vendor or contractor to a governmental body in connection with a specific proposed contractual relationship, a specific contract, or an application to be placed on a bidders list, including information that may also have been submitted in connection with an application for certification as a historically underutilized or disadvantaged business, is subject to required disclosure, excepted from required disclosure, or confidential in accordance with other law.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1227, Sec. 1, eff. June 30, 1997. Renumbered from Sec. 552.127 by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 19.01(51), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 19, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.129. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION INFORMATION. A record created during a motor vehicle emissions inspection under Subchapter F, Chapter 548, Transportation Code, that relates to an individual vehicle or owner of an individual vehicle is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1069, Sec. 17, eff. June 19, 1997. Renumbered from Sec. 552.127 by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 19.01(52), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 20, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.130. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE RECORDS. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the information relates to:
(1) a motor vehicle operator's or driver's license or permit issued by an agency of this state or another state or country;
(2) a motor vehicle title or registration issued by an agency of this state or another state or country; or
(3) a personal identification document issued by an agency of this state or another state or country or a local agency authorized to issue an identification document.
(b) Information described by Subsection (a) may be released only if, and in the manner, authorized by Chapter 730, Transportation Code.
(c) Subject to Chapter 730, Transportation Code, a governmental body may redact information described by Subsection (a) from any information the governmental body discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
(d) If, under Subsection (c), a governmental body redacts or withholds information without requesting a decision from the attorney general about whether the information may be redacted or withheld, the requestor is entitled to seek a decision from the attorney general about the matter. The attorney general by rule shall establish procedures and deadlines for receiving information necessary to decide the matter and briefs from the requestor, the governmental body, and any other interested person. The attorney general shall promptly render a decision requested under this subsection, determining whether the redacted or withheld information was excepted from required disclosure to the requestor, not later than the 45th business day after the date the attorney general received the request for a decision under this subsection. The attorney general shall issue a written decision on the matter and provide a copy of the decision to the requestor, the governmental body, and any interested person who submitted necessary information or a brief to the attorney general about the matter. The requestor or the governmental body may appeal a decision of the attorney general under this subsection to a Travis County district court.
(e) A governmental body that redacts or withholds information under Subsection (c) shall provide the following information to the requestor on a form prescribed by the attorney general:
(1) a description of the redacted or withheld information;
(2) a citation to this section; and
(3) instructions regarding how the requestor may seek a decision from the attorney general regarding whether the redacted or withheld information is excepted from required disclosure.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1187, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 927 (S.B. 1638), Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 21, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 458), Sec. 1, eff. May 18, 2013.
Sec. 552.131. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the information relates to economic development negotiations involving a governmental body and a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and the information relates to:
(1) a trade secret of the business prospect; or
(2) commercial or financial information for which it is demonstrated based on specific factual evidence that disclosure would cause substantial competitive harm to the person from whom the information was obtained.
(b) Unless and until an agreement is made with the business prospect, information about a financial or other incentive being offered to the business prospect by the governmental body or by another person is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b-1) An economic development entity whose mission or purpose is to develop and promote the economic growth of a state agency or political subdivision with which the entity contracts may assert the exceptions under this section in the manner described by Section 552.305(b) with respect to information that is in the economic development entity's custody or control.
(c) After an agreement is made with the business prospect, this section does not except from the requirements of Section 552.021 information about a financial or other incentive being offered to the business prospect:
(1) by the governmental body; or
(2) by another person, if the financial or other incentive may directly or indirectly result in the expenditure of public funds by a governmental body or a reduction in revenue received by a governmental body from any source.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 6, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.1315. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN CRIME VICTIM RECORDS. (a) Information is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the information identifies an individual as:
(1) a victim of:
(A) an offense under Section 20A.02, 20A.03, 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, 22.021, 43.05, or 43.25, Penal Code; or
(B) an offense that is part of the same criminal episode, as defined by Section 3.01, Penal Code, as an offense described by Paragraph (A); or
(2) a victim of any criminal offense, if the victim was younger than 18 years of age when any element of the offense was committed.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), information under this section may be disclosed:
(1) to any victim identified by the information, or to the parent or guardian of a victim described by Subsection (a)(2) who is identified by the information;
(2) to a law enforcement agency for investigative purposes; or
(3) in accordance with a court order requiring the disclosure.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 694 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2021.
Sec. 552.132. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CRIME VICTIM OR CLAIMANT INFORMATION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), in this section, "crime victim or claimant" means a victim or claimant under Chapter 56B, Code of Criminal Procedure, who has filed an application for compensation under that chapter.
(b) The following information held by the crime victim's compensation division of the attorney general's office is confidential:
(1) the name, social security number, address, or telephone number of a crime victim or claimant; or
(2) any other information the disclosure of which would identify or tend to identify the crime victim or claimant.
(c) If the crime victim or claimant is awarded compensation under Article 56B.103 or 56B.104, Code of Criminal Procedure, as of the date of the award of compensation, the name of the crime victim or claimant and the amount of compensation awarded to that crime victim or claimant are public information and are not excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(d) An employee of a governmental body who is also a victim under Chapter 56B, Code of Criminal Procedure, regardless of whether the employee has filed an application for compensation under that chapter, may elect whether to allow public access to information held by the attorney general's office or other governmental body that would identify or tend to identify the victim, including a photograph or other visual representation of the victim. An election under this subsection must be made in writing on a form developed by the governmental body, be signed by the employee, and be filed with the governmental body before the third anniversary of the latest to occur of one of the following:
(1) the date the crime was committed;
(2) the date employment begins; or
(3) the date the governmental body develops the form and provides it to employees.
(e) If the employee fails to make an election under Subsection (d), the identifying information is excepted from disclosure until the third anniversary of the date the crime was committed. In case of disability, impairment, or other incapacity of the employee, the election may be made by the guardian of the employee or former employee.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1039, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 290 (H.B. 1042), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 469 (H.B. 4173), Sec. 2.49, eff. January 1, 2021.
Sec. 552.1325. CRIME VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT: CERTAIN INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL. (a) In this section:
(1) "Crime victim" means a person who is a victim as defined by Article 56B.003, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) "Victim impact statement" means a victim impact statement under Subchapter D, Chapter 56A, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(b) The following information that is held by a governmental body or filed with a court and that is contained in a victim impact statement or was submitted for purposes of preparing a victim impact statement is confidential:
(1) the name, social security number, address, and telephone number of a crime victim; and
(2) any other information the disclosure of which would identify or tend to identify the crime victim.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1303, Sec. 1, eff. June 21, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 469 (H.B. 4173), Sec. 2.50, eff. January 1, 2021.
Sec. 552.133. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF PUBLIC POWER UTILITY COMPETITIVE MATTERS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Broadband service" has the meaning assigned by Section 181.048, Utilities Code.
(2) "Public power utility" means an entity providing electric or gas utility services that is subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(a-1) For purposes of this section, "competitive matter" means a utility-related matter, including for an entity described by Subdivision (2) a cable, Internet, or broadband service matter, that is related to the public power utility's competitive activity, including commercial information, and would, if disclosed, give advantage to competitors or prospective competitors. The term:
(1) means a matter that is reasonably related to the following categories of information:
(A) generation unit specific and portfolio fixed and variable costs, including forecasts of those costs, capital improvement plans for generation units, and generation unit operating characteristics and outage scheduling;
(B) bidding and pricing information for purchased power, generation and fuel, and Electric Reliability Council of Texas bids, prices, offers, and related services and strategies;
(C) effective fuel and purchased power agreements and fuel transportation arrangements and contracts;
(D) risk management information, contracts, and strategies, including fuel hedging and storage;
(E) plans, studies, proposals, and analyses for system improvements, additions, or sales, other than transmission and distribution system improvements inside the service area for which the public power utility is the sole certificated retail provider; and
(F) customer billing, contract, and usage information, electric power pricing information, system load characteristics, and electric power marketing analyses and strategies;
(2) means a matter reasonably related to information involving the provision of cable, Internet, or broadband services by a municipally owned utility that provided electricity services and cable, Internet, or broadband services on or before January 1, 2003, including:
(A) a capital improvement plan;
(B) an expense related to the installation of a facility to provide those services;
(C) bidding and pricing information for installation of the facility;
(D) risk management information, contracts, and strategies;
(E) plans, studies, proposals, and analyses for:
(i) system improvements, additions, or sales; or
(ii) establishing pricing for providing those services; and
(F) customer billing, contract, and usage information; and
(3) does not include the following categories of information:
(A) information relating to the provision of distribution access service, including the terms and conditions of the service and the rates charged for the service but not including information concerning utility-related services or products that are competitive;
(B) information relating to the provision of transmission service that is required to be filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, subject to any confidentiality provided for under the rules of the commission;
(C) information for the distribution system pertaining to reliability and continuity of service, to the extent not security-sensitive, that relates to emergency management, identification of critical loads such as hospitals and police, records of interruption, and distribution feeder standards;
(D) any substantive rule or tariff of general applicability regarding rates, service offerings, service regulation, customer protections, or customer service adopted by the public power utility as authorized by law;
(E) aggregate information reflecting receipts or expenditures of funds of the public power utility, of the type that would be included in audited financial statements;
(F) information relating to equal employment opportunities for minority groups, as filed with local, state, or federal agencies;
(G) information relating to the public power utility's performance in contracting with minority business entities;
(H) information relating to nuclear decommissioning trust agreements, of the type required to be included in audited financial statements;
(I) information relating to the amount and timing of any transfer to an owning city's general fund;
(J) information relating to environmental compliance as required to be filed with any local, state, or national environmental authority, subject to any confidentiality provided under the rules of those authorities;
(K) names of public officers of the public power utility and the voting records of those officers for all matters other than those within the scope of a competitive resolution provided for by this section;
(L) a description of the public power utility's central and field organization, including the established places at which the public may obtain information, submit information and requests, or obtain decisions and the identification of employees from whom the public may obtain information, submit information or requests, or obtain decisions;
(M) information identifying the general course and method by which the public power utility's functions are channeled and determined, including the nature and requirements of all formal and informal policies and procedures;
(N) salaries and total compensation of all employees of a public power utility;
(O) information publicly released by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas in accordance with a law, rule, or protocol generally applicable to similarly situated market participants;
(P) information related to a chilled water program, as defined by Section 11.003, Utilities Code; or
(Q) information included in the separate books and records required to be kept by an entity described by Subdivision (2) as required by Section 552.915, Local Government Code.
(b) Information or records are excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if the information or records are reasonably related to a competitive matter, as defined in this section. Information or records of a municipally owned utility that are reasonably related to a competitive matter are not subject to disclosure under this chapter, whether or not, under the Utilities Code, the municipally owned utility has adopted customer choice or serves in a multiply certificated service area. This section does not limit the right of a public power utility governing body to withhold from disclosure information deemed to be within the scope of any other exception provided for in this chapter, subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(b-1) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of Subsection (b), information or records of a municipally owned utility or municipality that operates a chilled water program are subject to disclosure under this chapter if the information or records are reasonably related to:
(1) a municipally owned utility's rate review process;
(2) the method a municipality or municipally owned utility uses to set rates for retail electric service; or
(3) the method a municipality or municipally owned utility uses to set rates for a chilled water program described by Subsection (a-1)(3)(P).
(c) The requirement of Section 552.022 that a category of information listed under Section 552.022(a) is public information and not excepted from required disclosure under this chapter unless expressly confidential under law does not apply to information that is excepted from required disclosure under this section.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 405, Sec. 46, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1272, Sec. 7.02, eff. June 15, 2001. Renumbered from Sec. 552.131 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(52), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 925 (S.B. 1613), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 24, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 277 (H.B. 3615), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1148 (S.B. 983), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.1331. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN GOVERNMENT-OPERATED UTILITY CUSTOMER INFORMATION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Advanced metering system" means a utility metering system that collects data at regular intervals through the use of an automated wireless or radio network.
(2) "Government-operated utility" has the meaning assigned by Section 182.051, Utilities Code.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section and Section 182.052, Utilities Code, information maintained by a government-operated utility is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information that:
(1) is collected as part of an advanced metering system for usage, services, and billing, including amounts billed or collected for utility usage; or
(2) reveals whether:
(A) an account is delinquent or eligible for disconnection; or
(B) services have been discontinued by the government-operated utility.
(c) A government-operated utility must disclose information described by Subsection (b)(1) to a customer of the utility or a representative of the customer if the information directly relates to utility services provided to the customer and is not confidential under law.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1025 (H.B. 872), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2021.
Sec. 552.134. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO INMATE OF DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or by Section 552.029, information obtained or maintained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information about an inmate who is confined in a facility operated by or under a contract with the department.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to:
(1) statistical or other aggregated information relating to inmates confined in one or more facilities operated by or under a contract with the department; or
(2) information about an inmate sentenced to death.
(c) This section does not affect whether information is considered confidential or privileged under Section 508.313.
(d) A release of information described by Subsection (a) to an eligible entity, as defined by Section 508.313(d), for a purpose related to law enforcement, prosecution, corrections, clemency, or treatment is not considered a release of information to the public for purposes of Section 552.007 and does not waive the right to assert in the future that the information is excepted from required disclosure under this section or other law.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 783, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1999. Renumbered from Sec. 552.131 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(53), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 25, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.1345. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO CIVILLY COMMITTED SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), information obtained or maintained by the Texas Civil Commitment Office is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information about a person who is civilly committed as a sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to statistical or other aggregated information relating to persons civilly committed to one or more facilities operated by or under a contract with the office.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 351 (S.B. 1179), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.135. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION HELD BY SCHOOL DISTRICT. (a) "Informer" means a student or a former student or an employee or former employee of a school district who has furnished a report of another person's possible violation of criminal, civil, or regulatory law to the school district or the proper regulatory enforcement authority.
(b) An informer's name or information that would substantially reveal the identity of an informer is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(c) Subsection (b) does not apply:
(1) if the informer is a student or former student, and the student or former student, or the legal guardian, or spouse of the student or former student consents to disclosure of the student's or former student's name; or
(2) if the informer is an employee or former employee who consents to disclosure of the employee's or former employee's name; or
(3) if the informer planned, initiated, or participated in the possible violation.
(d) Information excepted under Subsection (b) may be made available to a law enforcement agency or prosecutor for official purposes of the agency or prosecutor upon proper request made in compliance with applicable law and procedure.
(e) This section does not infringe on or impair the confidentiality of information considered to be confidential by law, whether it be constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, including information excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1335, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Renumbered from Sec. 552.131 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(54), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.136. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CREDIT CARD, DEBIT CARD, CHARGE CARD, AND ACCESS DEVICE NUMBERS. (a) In this section, "access device" means a card, plate, code, account number, personal identification number, electronic serial number, mobile identification number, or other telecommunications service, equipment, or instrument identifier or means of account access that alone or in conjunction with another access device may be used to:
(1) obtain money, goods, services, or another thing of value; or
(2) initiate a transfer of funds other than a transfer originated solely by paper instrument.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a credit card, debit card, charge card, or access device number that is collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body is confidential.
(c) A governmental body may redact information that must be withheld under Subsection (b) from any information the governmental body discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
(d) If, under Subsection (c), a governmental body redacts or withholds information without requesting a decision from the attorney general about whether the information may be redacted or withheld, the requestor is entitled to seek a decision from the attorney general about the matter. The attorney general by rule shall establish procedures and deadlines for receiving information necessary to decide the matter and briefs from the requestor, the governmental body, and any other interested person. The attorney general shall promptly render a decision requested under this subsection, determining whether the redacted or withheld information was excepted from required disclosure to the requestor, not later than the 45th business day after the date the attorney general received the request for a decision under this subsection. The attorney general shall issue a written decision on the matter and provide a copy of the decision to the requestor, the governmental body, and any interested person who submitted necessary information or a brief to the attorney general about the matter. The requestor or the governmental body may appeal a decision of the attorney general under this subsection to a Travis County district court.
(e) A governmental body that redacts or withholds information under Subsection (c) shall provide the following information to the requestor on a form prescribed by the attorney general:
(1) a description of the redacted or withheld information;
(2) a citation to this section; and
(3) instructions regarding how the requestor may seek a decision from the attorney general regarding whether the redacted or withheld information is excepted from required disclosure.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 356, Sec. 1, eff. May 26, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 27, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.137. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN E-MAIL ADDRESSES. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, an e-mail address of a member of the public that is provided for the purpose of communicating electronically with a governmental body is confidential and not subject to disclosure under this chapter.
(b) Confidential information described by this section that relates to a member of the public may be disclosed if the member of the public affirmatively consents to its release.
(c) Subsection (a) does not apply to an e-mail address:
(1) provided to a governmental body by a person who has a contractual relationship with the governmental body or by the contractor's agent;
(2) provided to a governmental body by a vendor who seeks to contract with the governmental body or by the vendor's agent;
(3) contained in a response to a request for bids or proposals, contained in a response to similar invitations soliciting offers or information relating to a potential contract, or provided to a governmental body in the course of negotiating the terms of a contract or potential contract;
(4) provided to a governmental body on a letterhead, coversheet, printed document, or other document made available to the public; or
(5) provided to a governmental body for the purpose of providing public comment on or receiving notices related to an application for a license as defined by Section 2001.003(2) of this code, or receiving orders or decisions from a governmental body.
(d) Subsection (a) does not prevent a governmental body from disclosing an e-mail address for any reason to another governmental body or to a federal agency.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 356, Sec. 1, eff. May 26, 2001. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1089, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 962 (H.B. 3544), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 552.138. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF FAMILY VIOLENCE SHELTER CENTER, VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING SHELTER CENTER, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAM INFORMATION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Family violence shelter center" has the meaning assigned by Section 51.002, Human Resources Code.
(1-a) "License" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, or other authorization that:
(A) is issued by a governmental body; and
(B) a person must obtain to practice or engage in a particular business, occupation, or profession.
(2) "Sexual assault program" has the meaning assigned by Section 420.003.
(3) "Victims of trafficking shelter center" means:
(A) a program that:
(i) is operated by a public or private nonprofit organization; and
(ii) provides comprehensive residential and nonresidential services to persons who are victims of trafficking under Section 20A.02, Penal Code; or
(B) a child-placing agency, as defined by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code, that provides services to persons who are victims of trafficking under Section 20A.02, Penal Code.
(b) Information maintained by a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information that relates to:
(1) the home address, home telephone number, or social security number of an employee or a volunteer worker of a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program, regardless of whether the employee or worker complies with Section 552.024;
(2) the name, home address, home telephone number, or numeric identifier of a current or former client of a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program;
(3) the provision of services, including counseling and sheltering, to a current or former client of a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program;
(4) the name, home address, or home telephone number of a private donor to a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program; or
(5) the home address or home telephone number of a member of the board of directors or the board of trustees of a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program, regardless of whether the board member complies with Section 552.024.
(b-1) Information that relates to the location or physical layout of a family violence shelter center or victims of trafficking shelter center is confidential.
(c) A governmental body may redact information maintained by a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program that may be withheld under Subsection (b)(1) or (5) or that is confidential under Subsection (b-1) from any information the governmental body discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
(d) If, under Subsection (c), a governmental body redacts or withholds information without requesting a decision from the attorney general about whether the information may be redacted or withheld, the requestor is entitled to seek a decision from the attorney general about the matter. The attorney general by rule shall establish procedures and deadlines for receiving information necessary to decide the matter and briefs from the requestor, the governmental body, and any other interested person. The attorney general shall promptly render a decision requested under this subsection, determining whether the redacted or withheld information was excepted from required disclosure to the requestor, not later than the 45th business day after the date the attorney general received the request for a decision under this subsection. The attorney general shall issue a written decision on the matter and provide a copy of the decision to the requestor, the governmental body, and any interested person who submitted necessary information or a brief to the attorney general about the matter. The requestor or the governmental body may appeal a decision of the attorney general under this subsection to a Travis County district court.
(e) A governmental body that redacts or withholds information under Subsection (c) shall provide the following information to the requestor on a form prescribed by the attorney general:
(1) a description of the redacted or withheld information;
(2) a citation to this section; and
(3) instructions regarding how the requestor may seek a decision from the attorney general regarding whether the redacted or withheld information is excepted from required disclosure.
(f) Notwithstanding any other law, a governmental body may not sell or otherwise release the name, home or business address, place of employment, telephone number, electronic mail address, social security number, date of birth, driver's license or state identification number, passport number, emergency contact information, or numeric identifier of a person who:
(1) holds, previously held, or is an applicant for a license issued by the governmental body; and
(2) notifies the governmental body on a form provided by the office of the attorney general or the governmental body that the person:
(A) is a current or former client of a family violence shelter center, victims of trafficking shelter center, or sexual assault program or is a survivor of family violence, domestic violence, or sexual assault; and
(B) chooses to restrict public access to the information.
(g) A governmental body may redact information described by Subsection (f) from a response to a request for a list or directory of license holders, former license holders, or license applicants without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 143, Sec. 1, eff. May 16, 2001. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 552.136 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1275, Sec. 2(75), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 283 (S.B. 1068), Sec. 3, eff. June 4, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 28, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 365 (H.B. 2725), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 365 (H.B. 2725), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 365 (H.B. 2725), Sec. 3, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1152 (H.B. 3091), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 594 (H.B. 3130), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 594 (H.B. 3130), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.139. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION RELATED TO SECURITY OR INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES FOR COMPUTERS. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if it is information that relates to computer network security, to restricted information under Section 2059.055, or to the design, operation, or defense of a computer network.
(b) The following information is confidential:
(1) a computer network vulnerability report;
(2) any other assessment of the extent to which data processing operations, a computer, a computer program, network, system, or system interface, or software of a governmental body or of a contractor of a governmental body is vulnerable to unauthorized access or harm, including an assessment of the extent to which the governmental body's or contractor's electronically stored information containing sensitive or critical information is vulnerable to alteration, damage, erasure, or inappropriate use;
(3) a photocopy or other copy of an identification badge issued to an official or employee of a governmental body; and
(4) information directly arising from a governmental body's routine efforts to prevent, detect, investigate, or mitigate a computer security incident, including information contained in or derived from an information security log.
(b-1) Subsection (b)(4) does not affect the notification requirements related to a breach of system security as defined by Section 521.053, Business & Commerce Code.
(c) Notwithstanding the confidential nature of the information described in this section, the information may be disclosed to a bidder if the governmental body determines that providing the information is necessary for the bidder to provide an accurate bid. A disclosure under this subsection is not a voluntary disclosure for purposes of Section 552.007.
(d) A state agency shall redact from a contract posted on the agency's Internet website under Section 2261.253 information that is made confidential by, or excepted from required public disclosure under, this section. The redaction of information under this subsection does not exempt the information from the requirements of Section 552.021 or 552.221.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1272, Sec. 4.03, eff. June 15, 2001. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 552.136 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1275, Sec. 2(76), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 183 (H.B. 1830), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 927 (S.B. 1638), Sec. 5, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 29, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 555 (S.B. 532), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 683 (H.B. 8), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1042 (H.B. 1861), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 467 (H.B. 4170), Sec. 8.015, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.140. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF MILITARY DISCHARGE RECORDS. (a) This section applies only to a military veteran's Department of Defense Form DD-214 or other military discharge record that is first recorded with or that otherwise first comes into the possession of a governmental body on or after September 1, 2003.
(b) The record is confidential for the 75 years following the date it is recorded with or otherwise first comes into the possession of a governmental body. During that period the governmental body may permit inspection or copying of the record or disclose information contained in the record only in accordance with this section or in accordance with a court order.
(c) On request and the presentation of proper identification, the following persons may inspect the military discharge record or obtain from the governmental body free of charge a copy or certified copy of the record:
(1) the veteran who is the subject of the record;
(2) the legal guardian of the veteran;
(3) the spouse or a child or parent of the veteran or, if there is no living spouse, child, or parent, the nearest living relative of the veteran;
(4) the personal representative of the estate of the veteran;
(5) the person named by the veteran, or by a person described by Subdivision (2), (3), or (4), in an appropriate power of attorney executed in accordance with Subchapters A and B, Chapter 752, Estates Code;
(6) another governmental body; or
(7) an authorized representative of the funeral home that assists with the burial of the veteran.
(d) A court that orders the release of information under this section shall limit the further disclosure of the information and the purposes for which the information may be used.
(e) A governmental body that obtains information from the record shall limit the governmental body's use and disclosure of the information to the purpose for which the information was obtained.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 438, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 124 (H.B. 18), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2005.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 30, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 22.040, eff. September 1, 2017.
Sec. 552.141. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION IN APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE.
(a) Information that relates to the social security number of an individual that is maintained by a county clerk and that is on an application for a marriage license, including information in an application on behalf of an absent applicant and the affidavit of an absent applicant, or is on a document submitted with an application for a marriage license is confidential and may not be disclosed by the county clerk to the public under this chapter.
(b) If the county clerk receives a request to make information in a marriage license application available under this chapter, the county clerk shall redact the portion of the application that contains an individual's social security number and release the remainder of the information in the application.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 804, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Sec. 552.142. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS SUBJECT TO ORDER OF NONDISCLOSURE. (a) Information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information with respect to the information has been issued under Subchapter E-1, Chapter 411.
(b) A person who is the subject of information that is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 under this section may deny the occurrence of the criminal proceeding to which the information relates and the exception of the information under this section, unless the information is being used against the person in a subsequent criminal proceeding.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1236, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 731 (H.B. 961), Sec. 9, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 731 (H.B. 961), Sec. 10, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1070 (H.B. 2286), Sec. 2.02, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1279 (S.B. 1902), Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1279 (S.B. 1902), Sec. 27, eff. September 1, 2015.
Sec. 552.1425. CIVIL PENALTY: DISSEMINATION OF CERTAIN CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION.
Text of subsection effective until January 01, 2025
(a) A private entity that compiles and disseminates for compensation criminal history record information may not compile or disseminate information with respect to which the entity has received notice that:
(1) an order of expunction has been issued under Article 55.02, Code of Criminal Procedure; or
(2) an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information has been issued under Subchapter E-1, Chapter 411.
Text of subsection effective on January 01, 2025
(a) A private entity that compiles and disseminates for compensation criminal history record information may not compile or disseminate information with respect to which the entity has received notice that:
(1) an order of expunction has been issued under Subchapter E or F, Chapter 55A, Code of Criminal Procedure; or
(2) an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information has been issued under Subchapter E-1, Chapter 411.
(b) A district court may issue a warning to a private entity for a first violation of Subsection (a). After receiving a warning for the first violation, the private entity is liable to the state for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each subsequent violation.
(c) The attorney general or an appropriate prosecuting attorney may sue to collect a civil penalty under this section.
(d) A civil penalty collected under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1236, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1017 (H.B. 1303), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1017 (H.B. 1303), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 780 (S.B. 1056), Sec. 5, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 731 (H.B. 961), Sec. 11, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1279 (S.B. 1902), Sec. 28, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.100, eff. January 1, 2025.
Sec. 552.143. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INVESTMENT INFORMATION. (a) All information prepared or provided by a private investment fund and held by a governmental body that is not listed in Section 552.0225(b) is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b) Unless the information has been publicly released, pre-investment and post-investment diligence information, including reviews and analyses, prepared or maintained by a governmental body or a private investment fund is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021, except to the extent it is subject to disclosure under Subsection (c).
(c) All information regarding a governmental body's direct purchase, holding, or disposal of restricted securities that is not listed in Section 552.0225(b)(2)-(9), (11), or (13)-(16) is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021. This subsection does not apply to a governmental body's purchase, holding, or disposal of restricted securities for the purpose of reinvestment nor does it apply to a private investment fund's investment in restricted securities. This subsection applies to information regarding a direct purchase, holding, or disposal of restricted securities by the Texas growth fund, created under Section 70, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, that is not listed in Section 552.0225(b).
(d) For the purposes of this chapter:
(1) "Private investment fund" means an entity, other than a governmental body, that issues restricted securities to a governmental body to evidence the investment of public funds for the purpose of reinvestment.
(2) "Reinvestment" means investment in a person that makes or will make other investments.
(3) "Restricted securities" has the meaning assigned by 17 C.F.R. Section 230.144(a)(3).
(e) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 4, Sec. 17.05(1), eff. September 28, 2011.
(f) This section does not apply to the Texas Mutual Insurance Company or a successor to the company.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1338 (S.B. 121), Sec. 2, eff. June 18, 2005.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 4 (S.B. 1), Sec. 17.05(1), eff. September 28, 2011.
Sec. 552.144. EXCEPTION: WORKING PAPERS AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES AT STATE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS. The following working papers and electronic communications of an administrative law judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings are excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021:
(1) notes and electronic communications recording the observations, thoughts, questions, deliberations, or impressions of an administrative law judge;
(2) drafts of a proposal for decision;
(3) drafts of orders made in connection with conducting contested case hearings; and
(4) drafts of orders made in connection with conducting alternative dispute resolution procedures.
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1215, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Renumbered from Government Code, Section 552.141 by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 23.001(35), eff. September 1, 2005.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 350 (S.B. 178), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.
Sec. 552.145. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF TEXAS NO-CALL LIST. The Texas no-call list created under Subchapter B, Chapter 304, Business & Commerce Code, and any information provided to or received from the administrator of the national do-not-call registry maintained by the United States government, as provided by Sections 304.051 and 304.056, Business & Commerce Code, are excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 401, Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 171 (H.B. 210), Sec. 2, eff. May 27, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 885 (H.B. 2278), Sec. 2.20, eff. April 1, 2009.
Renumbered from Government Code, Section 552.141 by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 17.001(39), eff. September 1, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 32, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.146. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN COMMUNICATIONS WITH ASSISTANT OR EMPLOYEE OF LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD. (a) All written or otherwise recorded communications, including conversations, correspondence, and electronic communications, between a member of the legislature or the lieutenant governor and an assistant or employee of the Legislative Budget Board are excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b) Memoranda of a communication between a member of the legislature or the lieutenant governor and an assistant or employee of the Legislative Budget Board are excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 without regard to the method used to store or maintain the memoranda.
(c) This section does not except from required disclosure a record or memoranda of a communication that occurs in public during an open meeting or public hearing conducted by the Legislative Budget Board.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 741 (H.B. 2753), Sec. 9, eff. June 17, 2005.
Sec. 552.147. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), the social security number of a living person is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021, but is not confidential under this section and this section does not make the social security number of a living person confidential under another provision of this chapter or other law.
(a-1) The social security number of an employee of a school district in the custody of the district is confidential.
(b) A governmental body may redact the social security number of a living person from any information the governmental body discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, a county or district clerk may disclose in the ordinary course of business a social security number that is contained in information held by the clerk's office, and that disclosure is not official misconduct and does not subject the clerk to civil or criminal liability of any kind under the law of this state, including any claim for damages in a lawsuit or the criminal penalty imposed by Section 552.352.
(d) Unless another law requires a social security number to be maintained in a government document, on written request from an individual or the individual's representative the clerk shall redact within a reasonable amount of time all but the last four digits of the individual's social security number from information maintained in the clerk's official public records, including electronically stored information maintained by or under the control of the clerk. The individual or the individual's representative must identify, using a form provided by the clerk, the specific document or documents from which the partial social security number shall be redacted.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 397 (S.B. 1485), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 2061), Sec. 1, eff. March 28, 2007.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 183 (H.B. 2961), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013.
Sec. 552.148. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION MAINTAINED BY MUNICIPALITY PERTAINING TO A MINOR. (a) In this section, "minor" means a person younger than 18 years of age.
(b) The following information maintained by a municipality for purposes related to the participation by a minor in a recreational program or activity is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021:
(1) the name, age, home address, home telephone number, or social security number of the minor;
(2) a photograph of the minor; and
(3) the name of the minor's parent or legal guardian.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 114 (S.B. 123), Sec. 1, eff. May 17, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 33, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.149. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS OF COMPTROLLER OR APPRAISAL DISTRICT RECEIVED FROM PRIVATE ENTITY. (a) Information relating to real property sales prices, descriptions, characteristics, and other related information received from a private entity by the comptroller or the chief appraiser of an appraisal district under Chapter 6, Tax Code, is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the property owner or the owner's agent may, on request, obtain from the chief appraiser of the applicable appraisal district a copy of each item of information described by Section 41.461(a)(2), Tax Code, and a copy of each item of information that the chief appraiser took into consideration but does not plan to introduce at the hearing on the protest. In addition, the property owner or agent may, on request, obtain from the chief appraiser comparable sales data from a reasonable number of sales that is relevant to any matter to be determined by the appraisal review board at the hearing on the property owner's protest or by the arbitrator at the hearing on the property owner's appeal under Chapter 41A, Tax Code, of the appraisal review board's order determining the protest. Information obtained under this subsection:
(1) remains confidential in the possession of the property owner or agent; and
(2) may not be disclosed or used for any purpose except as evidence or argument at the hearing on:
(A) the protest; or
(B) the appeal under Chapter 41A, Tax Code.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or Section 403.304, so as to assist a property owner or an appraisal district in a protest filed under Section 403.303, the property owner, the district, or an agent of the property owner or district may, on request, obtain from the comptroller any information, including confidential information, obtained by the comptroller in connection with the comptroller's finding that is being protested. Confidential information obtained by a property owner, an appraisal district, or an agent of the property owner or district under this subsection:
(1) remains confidential in the possession of the property owner, district, or agent; and
(2) may not be disclosed to a person who is not authorized to receive or inspect the information.
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or Section 403.304, so as to assist a school district in the preparation of a protest filed or to be filed under Section 403.303, the school district or an agent of the school district may, on request, obtain from the comptroller or the appraisal district any information, including confidential information, obtained by the comptroller or the appraisal district that relates to the appraisal of property involved in the comptroller's finding that is being protested. Confidential information obtained by a school district or an agent of the school district under this subsection:
(1) remains confidential in the possession of the school district or agent; and
(2) may not be disclosed to a person who is not authorized to receive or inspect the information.
(e) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 557 (S.B. 334), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2021.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 471 (H.B. 2188), Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 2007.
Renumbered from Government Code, Section 552.148 by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 1969), Sec. 27.001(39), eff. September 1, 2009.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 555 (S.B. 1813), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1153 (H.B. 2941), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 91 (S.B. 1303), Sec. 11.013, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1079 (S.B. 1130), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 34, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 557 (S.B. 334), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 557 (S.B. 334), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2021.
Sec. 552.150. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION THAT COULD COMPROMISE SAFETY OF OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF HOSPITAL DISTRICT. (a) Information in the custody of a hospital district that relates to an employee or officer of the hospital district is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) it is information that, if disclosed under the specific circumstances pertaining to the individual, could reasonably be expected to compromise the safety of the individual, such as information that describes or depicts the likeness of the individual, information stating the times that the individual arrives at or departs from work, a description of the individual's automobile, or the location where the individual works or parks; and
(2) the employee or officer applies in writing to the hospital district's officer for public information to have the information withheld from public disclosure under this section and includes in the application:
(A) a description of the information; and
(B) the specific circumstances pertaining to the individual that demonstrate why disclosure of the information could reasonably be expected to compromise the safety of the individual.
(b) On receiving a written request for information described in an application submitted under Subsection (a)(2), the officer for public information shall:
(1) request a decision from the attorney general in accordance with Section 552.301 regarding withholding the information; and
(2) include a copy of the application submitted under Subsection (a)(2) with the request for the decision.
(c) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 609, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2009.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 609 (S.B. 470), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 35, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.151. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION REGARDING SELECT AGENTS. (a) The following information that pertains to a biological agent or toxin identified or listed as a select agent under federal law, including under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-188) and regulations adopted under that Act, is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021:
(1) the specific location of a select agent within an approved facility;
(2) personal identifying information of an individual whose name appears in documentation relating to the chain of custody of select agents, including a materials transfer agreement; and
(3) the identity of an individual authorized to possess, use, or access a select agent.
(b) This section does not except from disclosure the identity of the select agents present at a facility.
(c) This section does not except from disclosure the identity of an individual faculty member or employee whose name appears or will appear on published research.
(d) This section does not except from disclosure otherwise public information relating to contracts of a governmental body.
(e) If a resident of another state is present in Texas and is authorized to possess, use, or access a select agent in conducting research or other work at a Texas facility, information relating to the identity of that individual is subject to disclosure under this chapter only to the extent the information would be subject to disclosure under the laws of the state of which the person is a resident.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2009.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 36, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.152. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION CONCERNING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE OR OFFICER PERSONAL SAFETY. Information in the custody of a governmental body that relates to an employee or officer of the governmental body is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if, under the specific circumstances pertaining to the employee or officer, disclosure of the information would subject the employee or officer to a substantial threat of physical harm.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 283 (S.B. 1068), Sec. 4, eff. June 4, 2009.
Redesignated from Government Code, Section 552.151 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 91 (S.B. 1303), Sec. 27.001(20), eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.153. PROPRIETARY RECORDS AND TRADE SECRETS INVOLVED IN CERTAIN PARTNERSHIPS. (a) In this section, "affected jurisdiction," "comprehensive agreement," "contracting person," "interim agreement," "qualifying project," and "responsible governmental entity" have the meanings assigned those terms by Section 2267.001.
(b) Information in the custody of a responsible governmental entity that relates to a proposal for a qualifying project authorized under Chapter 2267 is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 if:
(1) the information consists of memoranda, staff evaluations, or other records prepared by the responsible governmental entity, its staff, outside advisors, or consultants exclusively for the evaluation and negotiation of proposals filed under Chapter 2267 for which:
(A) disclosure to the public before or after the execution of an interim or comprehensive agreement would adversely affect the financial interest or bargaining position of the responsible governmental entity; and
(B) the basis for the determination under Paragraph (A) is documented in writing by the responsible governmental entity; or
(2) the records are provided by a proposer to a responsible governmental entity or affected jurisdiction under Chapter 2267 and contain:
(A) trade secrets of the proposer;
(B) financial records of the proposer, including balance sheets and financial statements, that are not generally available to the public through regulatory disclosure or other means; or
(C) work product related to a competitive bid or proposal submitted by the proposer that, if made public before the execution of an interim or comprehensive agreement, would provide a competing proposer an unjust advantage or adversely affect the financial interest or bargaining position of the responsible governmental entity or the proposer.
(c) Except as specifically provided by Subsection (b), this section does not authorize the withholding of information concerning:
(1) the terms of any interim or comprehensive agreement, service contract, lease, partnership, or agreement of any kind entered into by the responsible governmental entity and the contracting person or the terms of any financing arrangement that involves the use of any public money; or
(2) the performance of any person developing or operating a qualifying project under Chapter 2267.
(d) In this section, "proposer" has the meaning assigned by Section 2267.001.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1334 (S.B. 1048), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1153 (S.B. 211), Sec. 4, eff. June 14, 2013.
Sec. 552.154. EXCEPTION: NAME OF APPLICANT FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, OR CHIEF AUDIT EXECUTIVE OF TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS. The name of an applicant for the position of executive director, chief investment officer, or chief audit executive of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021, except that the board of trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas must give public notice of the names of three finalists being considered for one of those positions at least 21 days before the date of the meeting at which the final action or vote is to be taken on choosing a finalist for employment.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 455 (S.B. 1667), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011.
Redesignated from Government Code, Section 552.153 by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 22.001(22), eff. September 1, 2013.
Sec. 552.155. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX APPRAISAL PHOTOGRAPHS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (c), a photograph that is taken by the chief appraiser of an appraisal district or the chief appraiser's authorized representative for property tax appraisal purposes and that shows the interior of an improvement to property is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b) A governmental body shall disclose a photograph described by Subsection (a) to a requestor who had an ownership interest in the improvement to property shown in the photograph on the date the photograph was taken.
(c) A photograph described by Subsection (a) may be used as evidence in and provided to the parties to a protest under Chapter 41, Tax Code, or an appeal of a determination by the appraisal review board under Chapter 42, Tax Code, if it is relevant to the determination of a matter protested or appealed. A photograph that is used as evidence:
(1) remains confidential in the possession of the person to whom it is disclosed; and
(2) may not be disclosed or used for any other purpose.
(c-1) Notwithstanding any other law, a photograph described by Subsection (a) may be used to ascertain the location of equipment used to produce or transmit oil and gas for purposes of taxation if that equipment is located on January 1 in the appraisal district that appraises property for the equipment for the preceding 365 consecutive days.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 835 (S.B. 46), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Sec. 552.156. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLAN. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the following information is excepted from disclosure under this chapter:
(1) a continuity of operations plan developed under Section 412.054, Labor Code; and
(2) all records written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained as part of the development or review of a continuity of operations plan developed under Section 412.054, Labor Code.
(b) Forms, standards, and other instructional, informational, or planning materials adopted by the office to provide guidance or assistance to a state agency in developing a continuity of operations plan under Section 412.054, Labor Code, are public information subject to disclosure under this chapter.
(c) A governmental body may disclose or make available information that is confidential under this section to another governmental body or a federal agency.
(d) Disclosing information to another governmental body or a federal agency under this section does not waive or affect the confidentiality of that information.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1045 (H.B. 1832), Sec. 5, eff. June 19, 2015.
Sec. 552.158. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICANT FOR APPOINTMENT BY GOVERNOR. The following information obtained by the governor or senate in connection with an applicant for an appointment by the governor is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021:
(1) the applicant's home address;
(2) the applicant's home telephone number; and
(3) the applicant's social security number.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 303 (S.B. 705), Sec. 1, eff. May 29, 2017.
Sec. 552.159. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN WORK SCHEDULES. A work schedule or a time sheet of a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code, is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1245 (H.B. 2446), Sec. 7, eff. June 14, 2019.
Sec. 552.160. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION OF APPLICANT FOR DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS. (a) In this section, "disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section 418.004.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the following information maintained by a governmental body is confidential:
(1) the name, social security number, house number, street name, and telephone number of an individual or household that applies for state or federal disaster recovery funds;
(2) the name, tax identification number, address, and telephone number of a business entity or an owner of a business entity that applies for state or federal disaster recovery funds; and
(3) any other information the disclosure of which would identify or tend to identify a person or household that applies for state or federal disaster recovery funds.
(c) The street name and census block group of and the amount of disaster recovery funds awarded to a person or household are not confidential after the date on which disaster recovery funds are awarded to the person or household.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 883 (H.B. 3175), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.161. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION OBTAINED BY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. The following information obtained by a flood control district located in a county with a population of 3.3 million or more in connection with operations related to a declared disaster or flooding is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021:
(1) a person's name;
(2) a home address;
(3) a business address;
(4) a home telephone number;
(5) a mobile telephone number;
(6) an electronic mail address;
(7) social media account information; and
(8) a social security number.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 300 (H.B. 3913), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Redesignated from Government Code, Section 552.159 by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 21.001(36), eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 552.162. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY OUT-OF-STATE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. Information obtained by a governmental body that was provided by an out-of-state health care provider in connection with a quality management, peer review, or best practices program that the out-of-state health care provider pays for is confidential and excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.
Redesignated from Government Code, Section 552.159 by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 21.001(37), eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 552.163. EXCEPTION: CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN ATTORNEY GENERAL SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS. (a) In this section, "attorney general settlement communication" means documentary materials or information collected, assembled, drafted, developed, used, received, or maintained by or on behalf of the attorney general with respect to an investigation or litigation conducted under Subchapter E, Chapter 17, Business & Commerce Code, and that reflects or is regarding negotiations made for the purpose of achieving a resolution of a matter without the need for continuing with litigation or trial.
(b) An attorney general settlement communication is privileged and not subject to disclosure under this chapter from the date the attorney general's investigation begins, as indicated in the attorney general's case management records, until the earlier of:
(1) the 90th day after the date settlement discussions are terminated; or
(2) the earliest of the date:
(A) the case is reported closed in the attorney general's case management records;
(B) the final judgment, assurance of voluntary compliance, or other settlement agreement is entered by the court, and the period for filing a notice of appeal has passed;
(C) the settlement documents are executed by all parties, if the documents are not filed in court;
(D) the order of dismissal or nonsuit disposing of all parties is entered by the court; or
(E) all appeals are finalized.
(c) For the purpose of this section, a settlement communication does not include a document attached to or referenced in a delivered settlement proposal that is subject to disclosure under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2023.
SUBCHAPTER D. OFFICER FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION
Sec. 552.201. IDENTITY OF OFFICER FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) The chief administrative officer of a governmental body is the officer for public information, except as provided by Subsection (b).
(b) Each elected county officer is the officer for public information and the custodian, as defined by Section 201.003, Local Government Code, of the information created or received by that county officer's office.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.202. DEPARTMENT HEADS. Each department head is an agent of the officer for public information for the purposes of complying with this chapter.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.203. GENERAL DUTIES OF OFFICER FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION. Each officer for public information, subject to penalties provided in this chapter, shall:
(1) make public information available for public inspection and copying;
(2) carefully protect public information from deterioration, alteration, mutilation, loss, or unlawful removal;
(3) repair, renovate, or rebind public information as necessary to maintain it properly; and
(4) make reasonable efforts to obtain public information from a temporary custodian if:
(A) the information has been requested from the governmental body;
(B) the officer for public information is aware of facts sufficient to warrant a reasonable belief that the temporary custodian has possession, custody, or control of the information;
(C) the officer for public information is unable to comply with the duties imposed by this chapter without obtaining the information from the temporary custodian; and
(D) the temporary custodian has not provided the information to the officer for public information or the officer's agent.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.204. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICER FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION. An officer for public information is responsible for the release of public information as required by this chapter. The officer is not responsible for:
(1) the use made of the information by the requestor; or
(2) the release of information after it is removed from a record as a result of an update, a correction, or a change of status of the person to whom the information pertains.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.205. INFORMING PUBLIC OF BASIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS CHAPTER. (a) An officer for public information shall prominently display a sign in the form prescribed by the attorney general that contains basic information about the rights of a requestor, the responsibilities of a governmental body, and the procedures for inspecting or obtaining a copy of public information under this chapter. The officer shall display the sign at one or more places in the administrative offices of the governmental body where it is plainly visible to:
(1) members of the public who request public information in person under this chapter; and
(2) employees of the governmental body whose duties include receiving or responding to requests under this chapter.
(b) The attorney general by rule shall prescribe the content of the sign and the size, shape, and other physical characteristics of the sign. In prescribing the content of the sign, the attorney general shall include plainly written basic information about the rights of a requestor, the responsibilities of a governmental body, and the procedures for inspecting or obtaining a copy of public information under this chapter that, in the opinion of the attorney general, is most useful for requestors to know and for employees of governmental bodies who receive or respond to requests for public information to know.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.
SUBCHAPTER E. PROCEDURES RELATED TO ACCESS
Sec. 552.221. APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION; PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) An officer for public information of a governmental body shall promptly produce public information for inspection, duplication, or both on application by any person to the officer. In this subsection, "promptly" means as soon as possible under the circumstances, that is, within a reasonable time, without delay.
(b) An officer for public information complies with Subsection (a) by:
(1) providing the public information for inspection or duplication in the offices of the governmental body; or
(2) sending copies of the public information by first class United States mail if the person requesting the information requests that copies be provided and pays the postage and any other applicable charges that the requestor has accrued under Subchapter F.
(b-1) In addition to the methods of production described by Subsection (b), an officer for public information for a governmental body complies with Subsection (a) by referring a requestor to an exact Internet location or uniform resource locator (URL) address on a website maintained by the governmental body and accessible to the public if the requested information is identifiable and readily available on that website. If the person requesting the information prefers a manner other than access through the URL, the governmental body must supply the information in the manner required by Subsection (b).
(b-2) If an officer for public information for a governmental body provides by e-mail an Internet location or uniform resource locator (URL) address as permitted by Subsection (b-1), the e-mail must contain a statement in a conspicuous font clearly indicating that the requestor may nonetheless access the requested information by inspection or duplication or by receipt through United States mail, as provided by Subsection (b).
(c) If the requested information is unavailable at the time of the request to examine because it is in active use or in storage, the officer for public information shall certify this fact in writing to the requestor and set a date and hour within a reasonable time when the information will be available for inspection or duplication.
(d) If an officer for public information cannot produce public information for inspection or duplication within 10 business days after the date the information is requested under Subsection (a), the officer shall certify that fact in writing to the requestor and set a date and hour within a reasonable time when the information will be available for inspection or duplication.
(e) A request is considered to have been withdrawn if the requestor fails to inspect or duplicate the public information in the offices of the governmental body on or before the 60th day after the date the information is made available or fails to pay the postage and any other applicable charges accrued under Subchapter F on or before the 60th day after the date the requestor is informed of the charges.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 791, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 692 (H.B. 685), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 520 (S.B. 79), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 894 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.
Sec. 552.2211. PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION WHEN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES CLOSED. (a) Except as provided by Section 552.233, if a governmental body closes its physical offices, but requires staff to work, including remotely, then the governmental body shall make a good faith effort to continue responding to applications for public information, to the extent staff have access to public information responsive to an application, pursuant to this chapter while its administrative offices are closed.
(b) Failure to respond to requests in accordance with Subsection (a) may constitute a refusal to request an attorney general's decision as provided by Subchapter G or a refusal to supply public information or information that the attorney general has determined is public information that is not excepted from disclosure under Subchapter C as described by Section 552.321(a).
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 164 (S.B. 1225), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 552.222. PERMISSIBLE INQUIRY BY GOVERNMENTAL BODY TO REQUESTOR. (a) The officer for public information and the officer's agent may not make an inquiry of a requestor except to establish proper identification or except as provided by Subsection (b), (c), or (c-1).
(b) If what information is requested is unclear to the governmental body, the governmental body may ask the requestor to clarify the request. If a large amount of information has been requested, the governmental body may discuss with the requestor how the scope of a request might be narrowed, but the governmental body may not inquire into the purpose for which information will be used.
(c) If the information requested relates to a motor vehicle record, the officer for public information or the officer's agent may require the requestor to provide additional identifying information sufficient for the officer or the officer's agent to determine whether the requestor is eligible to receive the information under Chapter 730, Transportation Code. In this subsection, "motor vehicle record" has the meaning assigned that term by Section 730.003, Transportation Code.
(c-1) If the information requested includes a photograph described by Section 552.155(a), the officer for public information or the officer's agent may require the requestor to provide additional information sufficient for the officer or the officer's agent to determine whether the requestor is eligible to receive the information under Section 552.155(b).
(d) If by the 61st day after the date a governmental body sends a written request for clarification or discussion under Subsection (b) or an officer for public information or agent sends a written request for additional information under Subsection (c) the governmental body, officer for public information, or agent, as applicable, does not receive a written response from the requestor, the underlying request for public information is considered to have been withdrawn by the requestor.
(e) A written request for clarification or discussion under Subsection (b) or a written request for additional information under Subsection (c) must include a statement as to the consequences of the failure by the requestor to timely respond to the request for clarification, discussion, or additional information.
(f) Except as provided by Subsection (g), if the requestor's request for public information included the requestor's physical or mailing address, the request may not be considered to have been withdrawn under Subsection (d) unless the governmental body, officer for public information, or agent, as applicable, sends the request for clarification or discussion under Subsection (b) or the written request for additional information under Subsection (c) to that address by certified mail.
(g) If the requestor's request for public information was sent by electronic mail, the request may be considered to have been withdrawn under Subsection (d) if:
(1) the governmental body, officer for public information, or agent, as applicable, sends the request for clarification or discussion under Subsection (b) or the written request for additional information under Subsection (c) by electronic mail to the same electronic mail address from which the original request was sent or to another electronic mail address provided by the requestor; and
(2) the governmental body, officer for public information, or agent, as applicable, does not receive from the requestor a written response or response by electronic mail within the period described by Subsection (d).
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1187, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 296 (H.B. 1497), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 762 (H.B. 2134), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 835 (S.B. 46), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Sec. 552.223. UNIFORM TREATMENT OF REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION. The officer for public information or the officer's agent shall treat all requests for information uniformly without regard to the position or occupation of the requestor, the person on whose behalf the request is made, or the status of the individual as a member of the media.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.224. COMFORT AND FACILITY. The officer for public information or the officer's agent shall give to a requestor all reasonable comfort and facility for the full exercise of the right granted by this chapter.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.225. TIME FOR EXAMINATION. (a) A requestor must complete the examination of the information not later than the 10th business day after the date the custodian of the information makes it available. If the requestor does not complete the examination of the information within 10 business days after the date the custodian of the information makes the information available and does not file a request for additional time under Subsection (b), the requestor is considered to have withdrawn the request.
(b) The officer for public information shall extend the initial examination period by an additional 10 business days if, within the initial period, the requestor files with the officer for public information a written request for additional time. The officer for public information shall extend an additional examination period by another 10 business days if, within the additional period, the requestor files with the officer for public information a written request for more additional time.
(c) The time during which a person may examine information may be interrupted by the officer for public information if the information is needed for use by the governmental body. The period of interruption is not considered to be a part of the time during which the person may examine the information.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.226. REMOVAL OF ORIGINAL RECORD. This chapter does not authorize a requestor to remove an original copy of a public record from the office of a governmental body.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.227. RESEARCH OF STATE LIBRARY HOLDINGS NOT REQUIRED. An officer for public information or the officer's agent is not required to perform general research within the reference and research archives and holdings of state libraries.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Sec. 552.228. PROVIDING SUITABLE COPY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION WITHIN REASONABLE TIME. (a) It shall be a policy of a governmental body to provide a suitable copy of public information within a reasonable time after the date on which the copy is requested.
(b) If public information exists in an electronic or magnetic medium, the requestor may request a copy in an electronic medium, such as on diskette or on magnetic tape. A governmental body shall provide a copy in the requested medium if:
(1) the governmental body has the technological ability to produce a copy of the requested information in the requested medium;
(2) the governmental body is not required to purchase any software or hardware to accommodate the request; and
(3) provision of a copy of the information in the requested medium will not violate the terms of any copyright agreement between the governmental body and a third party.
(c) If a governmental body is unable to comply with a request to produce a copy of information in a requested medium for any of the reasons described by this section, the governmental body shall provide a copy in another medium that is acceptable to the requestor. A governmental body is not required to copy information onto a diskette or other material provided by the requestor but may use its own supplies.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 962 (H.B. 3544), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 552.229. CONSENT TO RELEASE INFORMATION UNDER SPECIAL RIGHT OF ACCESS. (a) Consent for the release of information excepted from disclosure to the general public but available to a specific person under Sections 552.023 and 552.307 must be in writing and signed by the specific person or the person's authorized representative.
(b) An individual under 18 years of age may consent to the release of information under this section only with the additional written authorization of the individual's parent or guardian.
(c) An individual who has been adjudicated incompetent to manage the individual's personal affairs or for whom an attorney ad litem has been appointed may consent to the release of information under this section only by the written authorization of the designated legal guardian or attorney ad litem.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.230. RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTION AND COPYING OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) A governmental body may promulgate reasonable rules of procedure under which public information may be inspected and copied efficiently, safely, and without delay.
(b) A rule promulgated under Subsection (a) may not be inconsistent with any provision of this chapter.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 552.231. RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION THAT REQUIRE PROGRAMMING OR MANIPULATION OF DATA. (a) A governmental body shall provide to a requestor the written statement described by Subsection (b) if the governmental body determines:
(1) that responding to a request for public information will require programming or manipulation of data; and
(2) that:
(A) compliance with the request is not feasible or will result in substantial interference with its ongoing operations; or
(B) the information could be made available in the requested form only at a cost that covers the programming and manipulation of data.
(b) The written statement must include:
(1) a statement that the information is not available in the requested form;
(2) a description of the form in which the information is available;
(3) a description of any contract or services that would be required to provide the information in the requested form;
(4) a statement of the estimated cost of providing the information in the requested form, as determined in accordance with the rules established by the attorney general under Section 552.262; and
(5) a statement of the anticipated time required to provide the information in the requested form.
(c) The governmental body shall provide the written statement to the requestor within 20 days after the date of the governmental body's receipt of the request. The governmental body has an additional 10 days to provide the statement if the governmental body gives written notice to the requestor, within 20 days after the date of receipt of the request, that the additional time is needed.
(d) On providing the written statement to the requestor as required by this section, the governmental body does not have any further obligation to provide the information in the requested form or in the form in which it is available unless within 30 days the requestor states in writing to the governmental body that the requestor:
(1) wants the governmental body to provide the information in the requested form according to the cost and time parameters set out in the statement or according to other terms to which the requestor and the governmental body agree; or
(2) wants the information in the form in which it is available.
(d-1) If a requestor does not make a timely written statement under Subsection (d), the requestor is considered to have withdrawn the request for information.
(e) The officer for public information of a governmental body shall establish policies that assure the expeditious and accurate processing of requests for information that require programming or manipulation of data. A governmental body shall maintain a file containing all written statements issued under this section in a readily accessible location.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.232. RESPONDING TO REPETITIOUS OR REDUNDANT REQUESTS. (a) A governmental body that determines that a requestor has made a request for information for which the governmental body has previously furnished copies to the requestor or made copies available to the requestor on payment of applicable charges under Subchapter F, shall respond to the request, in relation to the information for which copies have been already furnished or made available, in accordance with this section, except that:
(1) this section does not prohibit the governmental body from furnishing the information or making the information available to the requestor again in accordance with the request; and
(2) the governmental body is not required to comply with this section in relation to information that the governmental body simply furnishes or makes available to the requestor again in accordance with the request.
(b) The governmental body shall certify to the requestor that copies of all or part of the requested information, as applicable, were previously furnished to the requestor or made available to the requestor on payment of applicable charges under Subchapter F. The certification must include:
(1) a description of the information for which copies have been previously furnished or made available to the requestor;
(2) the date that the governmental body received the requestor's original request for that information;
(3) the date that the governmental body previously furnished copies of or made available copies of the information to the requestor;
(4) a certification that no subsequent additions, deletions, or corrections have been made to that information; and
(5) the name, title, and signature of the officer for public information or the officer's agent making the certification.
(c) A charge may not be imposed for making and furnishing a certification required under Subsection (b).
(d) This section does not apply to information for which the governmental body has not previously furnished copies to the requestor or made copies available to the requestor on payment of applicable charges under Subchapter F. A request by the requestor for information for which copies have not previously been furnished or made available to the requestor, including information for which copies were not furnished or made available because the information was redacted from other information that was furnished or made available or because the information did not yet exist at the time of an earlier request, shall be treated in the same manner as any other request for information under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Sec. 552.2325. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNMENTAL BODY IMPACTED BY CATASTROPHE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Catastrophe" means a condition or occurrence that directly interferes with the ability of a governmental body to comply with the requirements of this chapter, including:
(A) fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or wind, rain, or snow storm;
(B) power failure, transportation failure, or interruption of communication facilities;
(C) epidemic; or
(D) riot, civil disturbance, enemy attack, or other actual or threatened act of lawlessness or violence.
(2) "Catastrophe" does not mean a period when staff is required to work remotely and can access information responsive to an application for information electronically, but the physical office of the governmental body is closed.
(3) "Suspension period" means the period of time during which a governmental body may suspend the applicability of the requirements of this chapter to the governmental body under this section.
(b) The requirements of this chapter do not apply to a governmental body during the suspension period determined by the governmental body under Subsections (d) and (e) if the governmental body:
(1) is currently significantly impacted by a catastrophe such that the catastrophe directly causes the inability of a governmental body to comply with the requirements of this chapter; and
(2) complies with the requirements of this section.
(c) A governmental body that elects to suspend the applicability of the requirements of this chapter to the governmental body must submit notice to the office of the attorney general that the governmental body is currently impacted by a catastrophe and has elected to suspend the applicability of those requirements during the initial suspension period determined under Subsection (d). The notice must be on the form prescribed by the office of the attorney general under Subsection (j).
(d) A governmental body may suspend the applicability of the requirements of this chapter to the governmental body for an initial suspension period. The governmental body may suspend the applicability of the requirements of this chapter under this subsection only once for each catastrophe. The initial suspension period may not exceed seven consecutive days and must occur during the period that:
(1) begins not earlier than the second day before the date the governmental body submits notice to the office of the attorney general under Subsection (c); and
(2) ends not later than the seventh day after the date the governmental body submits that notice.
(e) A governmental body may extend an initial suspension period if the governing body determines that the governing body is still impacted by the catastrophe on which the initial suspension period was based. The initial suspension period may be extended one time for not more than seven consecutive days that begin on the day following the day the initial suspension period ends. The governing body must submit notice of the extension to the office of the attorney general on the form prescribed by the office under Subsection (l).
(f) A governmental body that initiates a suspension period under Subsection (d) may not initiate another suspension period related to the same catastrophe, except for a single extension period as prescribed in Subsection (e).
(g) The combined suspension period for a governmental body filing under Subsections (d) and (e) may not exceed a total of 14 consecutive calendar days with respect to any single catastrophe.
(h) A governmental body that suspends the applicability of the requirements of this chapter to the governmental body under this section must provide notice to the public of the suspension in a place readily accessible to the public and in each other location the governmental body is required to post a notice under Subchapter C, Chapter 551. The governmental body must maintain the notice of the suspension during the suspension period.
(i) Notwithstanding another provision of this chapter, a request for public information received by a governmental body during a suspension period determined by the governmental body is considered to have been received by the governmental body on the first business day after the date the suspension period ends.
(j) The requirements of this chapter related to a request for public information received by a governmental body before the date an initial suspension period determined by the governmental body begins are tolled until the first business day after the date the suspension period ends.
(k) The office of the attorney general shall continuously post on the Internet website of the office each notice submitted to the office under this section from the date the office receives the notice until the first anniversary of that date.
(l) The office of the attorney general shall prescribe the form of the notice that a governmental body must submit to the office under Subsections (c) and (e). The notice must require the governmental body to:
(1) identify and describe the catastrophe that the governmental body is currently impacted by;
(2) state the date the initial suspension period determined by the governmental body under Subsection (d) begins and the date that period ends;
(3) if the governmental body has determined to extend the initial suspension period under Subsection (e):
(A) state that the governmental body continues to be impacted by the catastrophe identified in Subdivision (1); and
(B) state the date the extension to the initial suspension period begins and the date the period ends; and
(4) provide any other information the office of the attorney general determines necessary.
(m) Upon conclusion of any suspension period initiated pursuant to Subsections (d) or (e), the governmental body shall immediately resume compliance with all requirements of this chapter.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 462 (S.B. 494), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 164 (S.B. 1225), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
Redesignated by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 21.001(38), eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 552.233. OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) A current or former officer or employee of a governmental body does not have, by virtue of the officer's or employee's position or former position, a personal or property right to public information the officer or employee created or received while acting in an official capacity.
(b) A temporary custodian with possession, custody, or control of public information shall surrender or return the information to the governmental body not later than the 10th day after the date the officer for public information of the governmental body or the officer's agent requests the temporary custodian to surrender or return the information.
(c) A temporary custodian's failure to surrender or return public information as required by Subsection (b) is grounds for disciplinary action by the governmental body that employs the temporary custodian or any other applicable penalties provided by this chapter or other law.
(d) For purposes of the application of Subchapter G to information surrendered or returned to a governmental body by a temporary custodian under Subsection (b), the governmental body is considered to receive the request for that information on the date the information is surrendered or returned to the governmental body.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.234. METHOD OF MAKING WRITTEN REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) A person may make a written request for public information under this chapter only by delivering the request by one of the following methods to the applicable officer for public information or a person designated by that officer:
(1) United States mail;
(2) electronic mail;
(3) hand delivery; or
(4) any other appropriate method approved by the governmental body, including:
(A) facsimile transmission; and
(B) electronic submission through the governmental body's Internet website.
(b) For the purpose of Subsection (a)(4), a governmental body is considered to have approved a method described by that subdivision only if the governmental body includes a statement that a request for public information may be made by that method on:
(1) the sign required to be displayed by the governmental body under Section 552.205; or
(2) the governmental body's Internet website.
(c) A governmental body may designate one mailing address and one electronic mail address for receiving written requests for public information. The governmental body shall provide the designated mailing address and electronic mailing address to any person on request.
(d) A governmental body that posts the mailing address and electronic mail address designated by the governmental body under Subsection (c) on the governmental body's Internet website or that prints those addresses on the sign required to be displayed by the governmental body under Section 552.205 is not required to respond to a written request for public information unless the request is received:
(1) at one of those addresses;
(2) by hand delivery; or
(3) by a method described by Subsection (a)(4) that has been approved by the governmental body.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.235. PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST FORM. (a) The attorney general shall create a public information request form that provides a requestor the option of excluding from a request information that the governmental body determines is:
(1) confidential; or
(2) subject to an exception to disclosure that the governmental body would assert if the information were subject to the request.
(b) A governmental body that allows requestors to use the form described by Subsection (a) and maintains an Internet website shall post the form on its website.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2019.
SUBCHAPTER F. CHARGES FOR PROVIDING COPIES OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
Sec. 552.261. CHARGE FOR PROVIDING COPIES OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) The charge for providing a copy of public information shall be an amount that reasonably includes all costs related to reproducing the public information, including costs of materials, labor, and overhead. If a request is for 50 or fewer pages of paper records, the charge for providing the copy of the public information may not include costs of materials, labor, or overhead, but shall be limited to the charge for each page of the paper record that is photocopied, unless the pages to be photocopied are located in:
(1) two or more separate buildings that are not physically connected with each other; or
(2) a remote storage facility.
(b) If the charge for providing a copy of public information includes costs of labor, the requestor may require the governmental body's officer for public information or the officer's agent to provide the requestor with a written statement as to the amount of time that was required to produce and provide the copy. The statement must be signed by the officer for public information or the officer's agent and the officer's or the agent's name must be typed or legibly printed below the signature. A charge may not be imposed for providing the written statement to the requestor.
(c) For purposes of Subsection (a), a connection of two buildings by a covered or open sidewalk, an elevated or underground passageway, or a similar facility is insufficient to cause the buildings to be considered separate buildings.
(d) Charges for providing a copy of public information are considered to accrue at the time the governmental body advises the requestor that the copy is available on payment of the applicable charges.
(e) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, all requests received in one calendar day from an individual may be treated as a single request for purposes of calculating costs under this chapter. A governmental body may not combine multiple requests under this subsection from separate individuals who submit requests on behalf of an organization.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 894 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
Sec. 552.2615. REQUIRED ITEMIZED ESTIMATE OF CHARGES. (a) If a request for a copy of public information will result in the imposition of a charge under this subchapter that exceeds $40, or a request to inspect a paper record will result in the imposition of a charge under Section 552.271 that exceeds $40, the governmental body shall provide the requestor with a written itemized statement that details all estimated charges that will be imposed, including any allowable charges for labor or personnel costs. If an alternative less costly method of viewing the records is available, the statement must include a notice that the requestor may contact the governmental body regarding the alternative method. The governmental body must inform the requestor of the responsibilities imposed on the requestor by this section and of the rights granted by this entire section and give the requestor the information needed to respond, including:
(1) that the requestor must provide the governmental body with a mailing, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail address to receive the itemized statement and that it is the requestor's choice which type of address to provide;
(2) that the request is considered automatically withdrawn if the requestor does not respond in writing to the itemized statement and any updated itemized statement in the time and manner required by this section; and
(3) that the requestor may respond to the statement by delivering the written response to the governmental body by mail, in person, by facsimile transmission if the governmental body is capable of receiving documents transmitted in that manner, or by electronic mail if the governmental body has an electronic mail address.
(b) A request described by Subsection (a) is considered to have been withdrawn by the requestor if the requestor does not respond in writing to the itemized statement by informing the governmental body within 10 business days after the date the statement is sent to the requestor that:
(1) the requestor will accept the estimated charges;
(2) the requestor is modifying the request in response to the itemized statement; or
(3) the requestor has sent to the attorney general a complaint alleging that the requestor has been overcharged for being provided with a copy of the public information.
(c) If the governmental body later determines, but before it makes the copy or the paper record available, that the estimated charges will exceed the charges detailed in the written itemized statement by 20 percent or more, the governmental body shall send to the requestor a written updated itemized statement that details all estimated charges that will be imposed, including any allowable charges for labor or personnel costs. If the requestor does not respond in writing to the updated estimate in the time and manner described by Subsection (b), the request is considered to have been withdrawn by the requestor.
(d) If the actual charges that a governmental body imposes for a copy of public information, or for inspecting a paper record under Section 552.271, exceeds $40, the charges may not exceed:
(1) the amount estimated in the updated itemized statement; or
(2) if an updated itemized statement is not sent to the requestor, an amount that exceeds by 20 percent or more the amount estimated in the itemized statement.
(e) An itemized statement or updated itemized statement is considered to have been sent by the governmental body to the requestor on the date that:
(1) the statement is delivered to the requestor in person;
(2) the governmental body deposits the properly addressed statement in the United States mail; or
(3) the governmental body transmits the properly addressed statement by electronic mail or facsimile transmission, if the requestor agrees to receive the statement by electronic mail or facsimile transmission, as applicable.
(f) A requestor is considered to have responded to the itemized statement or the updated itemized statement on the date that:
(1) the response is delivered to the governmental body in person;
(2) the requestor deposits the properly addressed response in the United States mail; or
(3) the requestor transmits the properly addressed response to the governmental body by electronic mail or facsimile transmission.
(g) The time deadlines imposed by this section do not affect the application of a time deadline imposed on a governmental body under Subchapter G.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.262. RULES OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. (a) The attorney general shall adopt rules for use by each governmental body in determining charges for providing copies of public information under this subchapter and in determining the charge, deposit, or bond required for making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection as authorized by Sections 552.271(c) and (d). The rules adopted by the attorney general shall be used by each governmental body in determining charges for providing copies of public information and in determining the charge, deposit, or bond required for making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection, except to the extent that other law provides for charges for specific kinds of public information. The charges for providing copies of public information may not be excessive and may not exceed the actual cost of producing the information or for making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection. A governmental body, other than an agency of state government, may determine its own charges for providing copies of public information and its own charge, deposit, or bond for making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection but may not charge an amount that is greater than 25 percent more than the amount established by the attorney general unless the governmental body requests an exemption under Subsection (c).
(b) The rules of the attorney general shall prescribe the methods for computing the charges for providing copies of public information in paper, electronic, and other kinds of media and the charge, deposit, or bond required for making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection. The rules shall establish costs for various components of charges for providing copies of public information that shall be used by each governmental body in providing copies of public information or making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection.
(c) A governmental body may request that it be exempt from part or all of the rules adopted by the attorney general for determining charges for providing copies of public information or the charge, deposit, or bond required for making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection. The request must be made in writing to the attorney general and must state the reason for the exemption. If the attorney general determines that good cause exists for exempting a governmental body from a part or all of the rules, the attorney general shall give written notice of the determination to the governmental body within 90 days of the request. On receipt of the determination, the governmental body may amend its charges for providing copies of public information or its charge, deposit, or bond required for making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection according to the determination of the attorney general.
(d) The attorney general shall publish annually in the Texas Register a list of the governmental bodies that have authorization from the attorney general to adopt any modified rules for determining the cost of providing copies of public information or making public information that exists in a paper record available for inspection.
(e) The rules of the attorney general do not apply to a state governmental body that is not a state agency for purposes of Subtitle D, Title 10.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.263. BOND FOR PAYMENT OF COSTS OR CASH PREPAYMENT FOR PREPARATION OF COPY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) An officer for public information or the officer's agent may require a deposit or bond for payment of anticipated costs for the preparation of a copy of public information if:
(1) the officer for public information or the officer's agent has provided the requestor with the written itemized statement required under Section 552.2615 detailing the estimated charge for providing the copy; and
(2) the charge for providing the copy of the public information specifically requested by the requestor is estimated by the governmental body to exceed:
(A) $100, if the governmental body has more than 15 full-time employees; or
(B) $50, if the governmental body has fewer than 16 full-time employees.
(b) The officer for public information or the officer's agent may not require a deposit or bond be paid under Subsection (a) as a down payment for copies of public information that the requestor may request in the future.
(c) An officer for public information or the officer's agent may require a deposit or bond for payment of unpaid amounts owing to the governmental body in relation to previous requests that the requestor has made under this chapter before preparing a copy of public information in response to a new request if those unpaid amounts exceed $100. The officer for public information or the officer's agent may not seek payment of those unpaid amounts through any other means.
(d) The governmental body must fully document the existence and amount of those unpaid amounts or the amount of any anticipated costs, as applicable, before requiring a deposit or bond under this section. The documentation is subject to required public disclosure under this chapter.
(e) For purposes of Subchapters F and G, a request for a copy of public information is considered to have been received by a governmental body on the date the governmental body receives the deposit or bond for payment of anticipated costs or unpaid amounts if the governmental body's officer for public information or the officer's agent requires a deposit or bond in accordance with this section.
(e-1) If a requestor modifies the request in response to the requirement of a deposit or bond authorized by this section, the modified request is considered a separate request for the purposes of this chapter and is considered received on the date the governmental body receives the written modified request.
(f) A requestor who fails to make a deposit or post a bond required under Subsection (a) before the 10th business day after the date the deposit or bond is required is considered to have withdrawn the request for the copy of the public information that precipitated the requirement of the deposit or bond.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 315 (S.B. 623), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 349 (S.B. 175), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 38, eff. September 1, 2011.
Sec. 552.264. COPY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTED BY MEMBER OF LEGISLATURE. One copy of public information that is requested from a state agency by a member, agency, or committee of the legislature under Section 552.008 shall be provided without charge.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1585, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 1999.
Sec. 552.265. CHARGE FOR PAPER COPY PROVIDED BY DISTRICT OR COUNTY CLERK. The charge for providing a paper copy made by a district or county clerk's office shall be the charge provided by Chapter 51 of this code, Chapter 118, Local Government Code, or other applicable law.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1155, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2001.
Sec. 552.266. CHARGE FOR COPY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MUNICIPAL COURT CLERK. The charge for providing a copy made by a municipal court clerk shall be the charge provided by municipal ordinance.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 552.2661. CHARGE FOR COPY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION PROVIDED BY SCHOOL DISTRICT. A school district that receives a request to produce public information for inspection or publication or to produce copies of public information in response to a requestor who, within the preceding 180 days, has accepted but failed to pay written itemized statements of estimated charges from the district as provided under Section 552.261(b) may require the requestor to pay the estimated charges for the request before the request is fulfilled.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 8 (S.B. 8), Sec. 20, eff. September 28, 2011.
Sec. 552.267. WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF CHARGE FOR PROVIDING COPY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) A governmental body shall provide a copy of public information without charge or at a reduced charge if the governmental body determines that waiver or reduction of the charge is in the public interest because providing the copy of the information primarily benefits the general public.
(b) If the cost to a governmental body of processing the collection of a charge for providing a copy of public information will exceed the amount of the charge, the governmental body may waive the charge.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 552.268. EFFICIENT USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES. A governmental body shall make reasonably efficient use of supplies and other resources to avoid excessive reproduction costs.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 552.269. OVERCHARGE OR OVERPAYMENT FOR COPY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) A person who believes the person has been overcharged for being provided with a copy of public information may complain to the attorney general in writing of the alleged overcharge, setting forth the reasons why the person believes the charges are excessive. The attorney general shall review the complaint and make a determination in writing as to the appropriate charge for providing the copy of the requested information. The governmental body shall respond to the attorney general to any written questions asked of the governmental body by the attorney general regarding the charges for providing the copy of the public information. The response must be made to the attorney general within 10 business days after the date the questions are received by the governmental body. If the attorney general determines that a governmental body has overcharged for providing the copy of requested public information, the governmental body shall promptly adjust its charges in accordance with the determination of the attorney general.
(b) A person who overpays for a copy of public information because a governmental body refuses or fails to follow the rules for charges adopted by the attorney general is entitled to recover three times the amount of the overcharge if the governmental body did not act in good faith in computing the costs.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.270. CHARGE FOR GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION. (a) This subchapter does not apply to a publication that is compiled and printed by or for a governmental body for public dissemination. If the cost of the publication is not determined by state law, a governmental body may determine the charge for providing the publication.
(b) This section does not prohibit a governmental body from providing a publication free of charge if state law does not require that a certain charge be made.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 552.271. INSPECTION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION IN PAPER RECORD IF COPY NOT REQUESTED. (a) If the requestor does not request a copy of public information, a charge may not be imposed for making available for inspection any public information that exists in a paper record, except as provided by this section.
(b) If a requested page contains confidential information that must be edited from the record before the information can be made available for inspection, the governmental body may charge for the cost of making a photocopy of the page from which confidential information must be edited. No charge other than the cost of the photocopy may be imposed under this subsection.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an officer for public information or the officer's agent may require a requestor to pay, or to make a deposit or post a bond for the payment of, anticipated personnel costs for making available for inspection public information that exists in paper records only if:
(1) the public information specifically requested by the requestor:
(A) is older than five years; or
(B) completely fills, or when assembled will completely fill, six or more archival boxes; and
(2) the officer for public information or the officer's agent estimates that more than five hours will be required to make the public information available for inspection.
(d) If the governmental body has fewer than 16 full-time employees, the payment, the deposit, or the bond authorized by Subsection (c) may be required only if:
(1) the public information specifically requested by the requestor:
(A) is older than three years; or
(B) completely fills, or when assembled will completely fill, three or more archival boxes; and
(2) the officer for public information or the officer's agent estimates that more than two hours will be required to make the public information available for inspection.
(e) A requestor who has exceeded a limit established by a governmental body under Section 552.275 may not inspect public information on behalf of another requestor unless the requestor who exceeded the limit has paid each statement issued by the governmental body under Section 552.275(e).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.272. INSPECTION OF ELECTRONIC RECORD IF COPY NOT REQUESTED. (a) In response to a request to inspect information that exists in an electronic medium and that is not available directly on-line to the requestor, a charge may not be imposed for access to the information, unless complying with the request will require programming or manipulation of data. If programming or manipulation of data is required, the governmental body shall notify the requestor before assembling the information and provide the requestor with an estimate of charges that will be imposed to make the information available. A charge under this section must be assessed in accordance with this subchapter.
(b) If public information exists in an electronic form on a computer owned or leased by a governmental body and if the public has direct access to that computer through a computer network or other means, the electronic form of the information may be electronically copied from that computer without charge if accessing the information does not require processing, programming, or manipulation on the government-owned or government-leased computer before the information is copied.
(c) If public information exists in an electronic form on a computer owned or leased by a governmental body and if the public has direct access to that computer through a computer network or other means and the information requires processing, programming, or manipulation before it can be electronically copied, a governmental body may impose charges in accordance with this subchapter.
(d) If information is created or kept in an electronic form, a governmental body is encouraged to explore options to separate out confidential information and to make public information available to the public through electronic access through a computer network or by other means.
(e) The provisions of this section that prohibit a governmental entity from imposing a charge for access to information that exists in an electronic medium do not apply to the collection of a fee set by the supreme court after consultation with the Judicial Committee on Information Technology as authorized by Section 77.031 for the use of a computerized electronic judicial information system.
(f) A requestor who has exceeded a limit established by a governmental body under Section 552.275 may not inspect public information on behalf of another requestor unless the requestor who exceeded the limit has paid each statement issued by the governmental body under Section 552.275(e).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1327, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.274. REPORT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL ON COST OF COPIES. (a) The attorney general shall:
(1) biennially update a report prepared by the attorney general about the charges made by state agencies for providing copies of public information; and
(2) provide a copy of the updated report on the attorney general's open records page on the Internet not later than March 1 of each even-numbered year.
(b) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1083, Sec. 25(62), eff. June 17, 2011.
(c) In this section, "state agency" has the meaning assigned by Sections 2151.002(2)(A) and (C).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 693, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 17.19, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 552.270 by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 31.01(47), eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 552.270 and amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 9.008(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 716 (S.B. 452), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1083 (S.B. 1179), Sec. 25(62), eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 9.014, eff. September 1, 2013.
Sec. 552.275. REQUESTS THAT REQUIRE LARGE AMOUNTS OF EMPLOYEE OR PERSONNEL TIME. (a) A governmental body may establish reasonable monthly and yearly limits on the amount of time that personnel of the governmental body are required to spend producing public information for inspection or duplication by a requestor, or providing copies of public information to a requestor, without recovering its costs attributable to that personnel time.
(a-1) For purposes of this section, all county officials who have designated the same officer for public information may calculate the amount of time that personnel are required to spend collectively for purposes of the monthly or yearly limit.
(b) A yearly time limit established under Subsection (a) may not be less than 36 hours for a requestor during the 12-month period that corresponds to the fiscal year of the governmental body. A monthly time limit established under Subsection (a) may not be less than 15 hours for a requestor for a one-month period.
(c) In determining whether a time limit established under Subsection (a) applies, any time spent complying with a request for public information submitted in the name of a minor, as defined by Section 101.003(a), Family Code, is to be included in the calculation of the cumulative amount of time spent complying with a request for public information by a parent, guardian, or other person who has control of the minor under a court order and with whom the minor resides, unless that parent, guardian, or other person establishes that another person submitted that request in the name of the minor.
(d) If a governmental body establishes a time limit under Subsection (a), each time the governmental body complies with a request for public information, the governmental body shall provide the requestor with a written statement of the amount of personnel time spent complying with that request and the cumulative amount of time spent complying with requests for public information from that requestor during the applicable monthly or yearly period. The amount of time spent preparing the written statement may not be included in the amount of time included in the statement provided to the requestor under this subsection unless the requestor's time limit for the period has been exceeded.
(e) Subject to Subsection (e-1), if in connection with a request for public information, the cumulative amount of personnel time spent complying with requests for public information from the same requestor equals or exceeds the limit established by the governmental body under Subsection (a), the governmental body shall provide the requestor with a written estimate of the total cost, including materials, personnel time, and overhead expenses, necessary to comply with the request. The written estimate must be provided to the requestor on or before the 10th day after the date on which the public information was requested. The amount of this charge relating to the cost of locating, compiling, and producing the public information shall be established by rules prescribed by the attorney general under Sections 552.262(a) and (b).
(e-1) This subsection applies only to a request made by a requestor who has made a previous request to a governmental body that has not been withdrawn, for which the governmental body has located and compiled documents in response, and for which the governmental body has issued a statement under Subsection (e) that remains unpaid on the date the requestor submits the new request. A governmental body is not required to locate, compile, produce, or provide copies of documents or prepare a statement under Subsection (e) in response to a new request described by this subsection until the date the requestor pays each unpaid statement issued under Subsection (e) in connection with a previous request or withdraws the previous request to which the statement applies.
(f) If the governmental body determines that additional time is required to prepare the written estimate under Subsection (e) and provides the requestor with a written statement of that determination, the governmental body must provide the written statement under that subsection as soon as practicable, but on or before the 10th day after the date the governmental body provided the statement under this subsection.
(g) If a governmental body provides a requestor with a written statement under Subsection (e) or (o) and the time limits prescribed by Subsection (a) regarding the requestor have been exceeded, the governmental body is not required to produce public information for inspection or duplication or to provide copies of public information in response to the requestor's request unless on or before the 10th day after the date the governmental body provided the written statement under that subsection, the requestor submits payment of the amount stated in the written statement provided under Subsection (e) or provides identification or submits payment as required by Subsection (o), as applicable.
(h) If the requestor fails or refuses to provide identification or submit payment under Subsection (g), the requestor is considered to have withdrawn the requestor's pending request for public information.
(i) This section does not prohibit a governmental body from providing a copy of public information without charge or at a reduced rate under Section 552.267 or from waiving a charge for providing a copy of public information under that section.
(j) This section does not apply if the requestor is an individual who, for a substantial portion of the individual's livelihood or for substantial financial gain, gathers, compiles, prepares, collects, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports, investigates, processes, or publishes news or information for and is seeking the information for:
(1) dissemination by a news medium or communication service provider, including:
(A) an individual who supervises or assists in gathering, preparing, and disseminating the news or information; or
(B) an individual who is or was a journalist, scholar, or researcher employed by an institution of higher education at the time the person made the request for information; or
(2) creation or maintenance of an abstract plant as described by Section 2501.004, Insurance Code.
(k) This section does not apply if the requestor is an elected official of the United States, this state, or a political subdivision of this state.
(l) This section does not apply if the requestor is a representative of a publicly funded legal services organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by being listed as an exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3) of that code.
(m) In this section:
(1) "Communication service provider" has the meaning assigned by Section 22.021, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
(2) "News medium" means a newspaper, magazine or periodical, a book publisher, a news agency, a wire service, an FCC-licensed radio or television station or a network of such stations, a cable, satellite, or other transmission system or carrier or channel, or a channel or programming service for a station, network, system, or carrier, or an audio or audiovisual production company or Internet company or provider, or the parent, subsidiary, division, or affiliate of that entity, that disseminates news or information to the public by any means, including:
(A) print;
(B) television;
(C) radio;
(D) photographic;
(E) mechanical;
(F) electronic; and
(G) other means, known or unknown, that are accessible to the public.
(n) A governmental body may request photo identification from a requestor for the sole purpose of establishing that the requestor has not:
(1) exceeded a limit established by the governmental body under Subsection (a); and
(2) concealed the requestor's identity.
(o) A request for photo identification under Subsection (n) must include a statement under Subsection (e) applicable to the requestor who has exceeded a limit established by the governmental body and a statement that describes each specific reason why Subsection (n) may apply to the requestor. The governmental body shall accept as proof of a requestor's identification physical presentment of photo identification or an image of the photo identification that is transmitted electronically or through the mail. A requestor from whom a governmental body has requested photo identification under Subsection (n) may decline to provide identification and obtain the requested information by paying the charge assessed in the statement.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1398 (H.B. 2564), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1383 (S.B. 1629), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 894 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2023.
SUBCHAPTER G. ATTORNEY GENERAL DECISIONS
Sec. 552.301. REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL DECISION. (a) A governmental body that receives a written request for information that it wishes to withhold from public disclosure and that it considers to be within one of the exceptions under Subchapter C must ask for a decision from the attorney general about whether the information is within that exception if there has not been a previous determination about whether the information falls within one of the exceptions.
(a-1) For the purposes of this subchapter, if a governmental body receives a written request by United States mail and cannot adequately establish the actual date on which the governmental body received the request, the written request is considered to have been received by the governmental body on the third business day after the date of the postmark on a properly addressed request.
(b) The governmental body must ask for the attorney general's decision and state the exceptions that apply within a reasonable time but not later than the 10th business day after the date of receiving the written request.
(c) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2019.
(d) A governmental body that requests an attorney general decision under Subsection (a) must provide to the requestor within a reasonable time but not later than the 10th business day after the date of receiving the requestor's written request:
(1) a written statement that the governmental body wishes to withhold the requested information and has asked for a decision from the attorney general about whether the information is within an exception to public disclosure; and
(2) a copy of the governmental body's written communication to the attorney general asking for the decision or, if the governmental body's written communication to the attorney general discloses the requested information, a redacted copy of that written communication.
(e) A governmental body that requests an attorney general decision under Subsection (a) must within a reasonable time but not later than the 15th business day after the date of receiving the written request:
(1) submit to the attorney general:
(A) written comments stating the reasons why the stated exceptions apply that would allow the information to be withheld;
(B) a copy of the written request for information;
(C) a signed statement as to the date on which the written request for information was received by the governmental body or evidence sufficient to establish that date; and
(D) a copy of the specific information requested, or submit representative samples of the information if a voluminous amount of information was requested; and
(2) label that copy of the specific information, or of the representative samples, to indicate which exceptions apply to which parts of the copy.
(e-1) A governmental body that submits written comments to the attorney general under Subsection (e)(1)(A) shall send a copy of those comments to the person who requested the information from the governmental body not later than the 15th business day after the date of receiving the written request. If the written comments disclose or contain the substance of the information requested, the copy of the comments provided to the person must be a redacted copy.
(f) A governmental body must release the requested information and is prohibited from asking for a decision from the attorney general about whether information requested under this chapter is within an exception under Subchapter C if:
(1) the governmental body has previously requested and received a determination from the attorney general concerning the precise information at issue in a pending request; and
(2) the attorney general or a court determined that the information is public information under this chapter that is not excepted by Subchapter C.
(g) A governmental body may ask for another decision from the attorney general concerning the precise information that was at issue in a prior decision made by the attorney general under this subchapter if:
(1) a suit challenging the prior decision was timely filed against the attorney general in accordance with this chapter concerning the precise information at issue;
(2) the attorney general determines that the requestor has voluntarily withdrawn the request for the information in writing or has abandoned the request; and
(3) the parties agree to dismiss the lawsuit.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 474 (H.B. 2248), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1229 (S.B. 602), Sec. 39, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1340 (S.B. 944), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.302. FAILURE TO MAKE TIMELY REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL DECISION; PRESUMPTION THAT INFORMATION IS PUBLIC. If a governmental body does not request an attorney general decision as provided by Section 552.301 and provide the requestor with the information required by Sections 552.301(d) and (e-1), the information requested in writing is presumed to be subject to required public disclosure and must be released unless there is a compelling reason to withhold the information.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 21, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.303. DELIVERY OF REQUESTED INFORMATION TO ATTORNEY GENERAL; DISCLOSURE OF REQUESTED INFORMATION; ATTORNEY GENERAL REQUEST FOR SUBMISSION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. (a) A governmental body that requests an attorney general decision under this subchapter shall supply to the attorney general, in accordance with Section 552.301, the specific information requested. Unless the information requested is confidential by law, the governmental body may disclose the requested information to the public or to the requestor before the attorney general makes a final determination that the requested information is public or, if suit is filed under this chapter, before a final determination that the requested information is public has been made by the court with jurisdiction over the suit, except as otherwise provided by Section 552.322.
(b) The attorney general may determine whether a governmental body's submission of information to the attorney general under Section 552.301 is sufficient to render a decision.
(c) If the attorney general determines that information in addition to that required by Section 552.301 is necessary to render a decision, the attorney general shall give written notice of that fact to the governmental body and the requestor.
(d) A governmental body notified under Subsection (c) shall submit the necessary additional information to the attorney general not later than the seventh calendar day after the date the notice is received.
(e) If a governmental body does not comply with Subsection (d), the information that is the subject of a person's request to the governmental body and regarding which the governmental body fails to comply with Subsection (d) is presumed to be subject to required public disclosure and must be released unless there exists a compelling reason to withhold the information.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 22, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Sec. 552.3031. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL DECISION. (a) This section does not apply to a request for an attorney general decision made under this subchapter if:
(1) the governmental body requesting the decision:
(A) has fewer than 16 full-time employees; or
(B) is located in a county with a population of less than 150,000;
(2) the amount or format of responsive information at issue in a particular request makes use of the attorney general's electronic filing system impractical or impossible; or
(3) the request is hand delivered to the office of the attorney general.
(b) A governmental body that requests an attorney general decision under this subchapter must submit the request through the attorney general's designated electronic filing system.
(c) The attorney general may adopt rules necessary to implement this section, including rules that define the amount or type of formatting of information described by Subsection (a)(2) that makes use of the electronic filing system impractical or impossible.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.3035. DISCLOSURE OF REQUESTED INFORMATION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. The attorney general may not disclose to the requestor or the public any information submitted to the attorney general under Section 552.301(e)(1)(D).
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Sec. 552.304. SUBMISSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS. (a) A person may submit written comments stating reasons why the information at issue in a request for an attorney general decision should or should not be released.
(b) A person who submits written comments to the attorney general under Subsection (a) shall send a copy of those comments to both the person who requested the information from the governmental body and the governmental body. If the written comments submitted to the attorney general disclose or contain the substance of the information requested from the governmental body, the copy of the comments sent to the person who requested the information must be a redacted copy.
(c) In this section, "written comments" includes a letter, a memorandum, or a brief.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 329 (S.B. 727), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2005.
Sec. 552.305. INFORMATION INVOLVING PRIVACY OR PROPERTY INTERESTS OF THIRD PARTY. (a) In a case in which information is requested under this chapter and a person's privacy or property interests may be involved, including a case under Section 552.101, 552.110, 552.1101, 552.114, 552.131, or 552.143, a governmental body may decline to release the information for the purpose of requesting an attorney general decision.
(b) A person whose interests may be involved under Subsection (a), or any other person, may submit in writing to the attorney general the person's reasons why the information should be withheld or released.
(c) The governmental body may, but is not required to, submit its reasons why the information should be withheld or released.
(d) If release of a person's proprietary information may be subject to exception under Section 552.101, 552.110, 552.1101, 552.113, 552.131, or 552.143, the governmental body that requests an attorney general decision under Section 552.301 shall make a good faith attempt to notify that person of the request for the attorney general decision. Notice under this subsection must:
(1) be in writing and sent within a reasonable time not later than the 10th business day after the date the governmental body receives the request for the information; and
(2) include:
(A) a copy of the written request for the information, if any, received by the governmental body; and
(B) a statement, in the form prescribed by the attorney general, that the person is entitled to submit in writing to the attorney general within a reasonable time not later than the 10th business day after the date the person receives the notice:
(i) each reason the person has as to why the information should be withheld; and
(ii) a letter, memorandum, or brief in support of that reason.
(e) A person who submits a letter, memorandum, or brief to the attorney general under Subsection (d) shall send a copy of that letter, memorandum, or brief to the person who requested the information from the governmental body. If the letter, memorandum, or brief submitted to the attorney general contains the substance of the information requested, the copy of the letter, memorandum, or brief may be a redacted copy.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 21, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 7, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.306. RENDITION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL DECISION; ISSUANCE OF WRITTEN OPINION. (a) Except as provided by Section 552.011, the attorney general shall promptly render a decision requested under this subchapter, consistent with the standards of due process, determining whether the requested information is within one of the exceptions of Subchapter C. The attorney general shall render the decision not later than the 45th business day after the date the attorney general received the request for a decision. If the attorney general is unable to issue the decision within the 45-day period, the attorney general may extend the period for issuing the decision by an additional 10 business days by informing the governmental body and the requestor, during the original 45-day period, of the reason for the delay.
(b) The attorney general shall issue a written opinion of the determination and shall provide a copy of the opinion to the requestor.
(c) A governmental body shall as soon as practicable but within a reasonable period of time after the date the attorney general issues an opinion under Subsection (b) regarding information requested under this chapter:
(1) provide the requestor of the information an itemized estimate of charges for production of the information if the estimate is required by Section 552.2615;
(2) if the requested information is voluminous:
(A) take the following actions if the governmental body determines that it is able to disclose the information in a single batch:
(i) provide a written certified notice to the requestor and the attorney general that it is impractical or impossible for the governmental body to produce the information within a reasonable period of time;
(ii) include in the notice the date and hour that the governmental body will disclose the information to the requestor, which may not be later than the 15th business day after the date the governmental body provides the notice; and
(iii) produce the information at the date and time included in the notice; or
(B) take the following actions if the governmental body determines that it is unable to disclose the information in a single batch:
(i) provide a written certified notice to the requestor and the attorney general that it is impractical or impossible for the governmental body to produce the information within a reasonable period of time and in a single batch;
(ii) include in the notice the date and hour that the governmental body will disclose the first batch of information to the requestor, which may not be later than the 15th business day after the date the governmental body provides the notice;
(iii) provide a written certified notice to the requestor and the attorney general when each subsequent batch of information is disclosed to the requestor of the date and hour that the governmental body will disclose the next batch of information to the requestor, which may not be later than the 15th business day after the date the governmental body provides the notice; and
(iv) produce the requested information at each date and time included in a notice;
(3) produce the information if it is required to be produced;
(4) notify the requestor in writing that the governmental body is withholding the information as authorized by the opinion; or
(5) notify the requestor in writing that the governmental body has filed suit against the attorney general under Section 552.324 regarding the information.
(d) A governmental body is presumed to have complied with the requirements of Subsection (c) if the governmental body takes an action under that subsection regarding information that is the subject of an opinion issued by the attorney general not later than the 30th day after the date the attorney general issues the opinion.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 22, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 25, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 349 (S.B. 175), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.307. SPECIAL RIGHT OF ACCESS; ATTORNEY GENERAL DECISIONS. (a) If a governmental body determines that information subject to a special right of access under Section 552.023 is exempt from disclosure under an exception of Subchapter C, other than an exception intended to protect the privacy interest of the requestor or the person whom the requestor is authorized to represent, the governmental body shall, before disclosing the information, submit a written request for a decision to the attorney general under the procedures of this subchapter.
(b) If a decision is not requested under Subsection (a), the governmental body shall release the information to the person with a special right of access under Section 552.023 not later than the 10th business day after the date of receiving the request for information.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 349 (S.B. 175), Sec. 3, eff. June 15, 2007.
Sec. 552.308. TIMELINESS OF ACTION BY UNITED STATES MAIL, INTERAGENCY MAIL, OR COMMON OR CONTRACT CARRIER. (a) Except as provided by Section 552.3031, when this subchapter requires a request, notice, or other document to be submitted or otherwise given to a person within a specified period, the requirement is met in a timely fashion if the document is sent to the person by first class United States mail or common or contract carrier properly addressed with postage or handling charges prepaid and:
(1) it bears a post office cancellation mark or a receipt mark of a common or contract carrier indicating a time within that period; or
(2) the person required to submit or otherwise give the document furnishes satisfactory proof that it was deposited in the mail or with a common or contract carrier within that period.
(b) Except as provided by Section 552.3031, when this subchapter requires an agency of this state to submit or otherwise give to the attorney general within a specified period a request, notice, or other writing, the requirement is met in a timely fashion if:
(1) the request, notice, or other writing is sent to the attorney general by interagency mail; and
(2) the agency provides evidence sufficient to establish that the request, notice, or other writing was deposited in the interagency mail within that period.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 26, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 909, Sec. 1, 2, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 552.309. TIMELINESS OF ACTION BY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION. (a) When this subchapter requires a request, notice, or other document to be submitted or otherwise given to the attorney general within a specified period, the requirement is met in a timely fashion if the document is submitted to the attorney general through the attorney general's designated electronic filing system within that period.
(b) The attorney general may electronically transmit a notice, decision, or other document. When this subchapter requires the attorney general to deliver a notice, decision, or other document within a specified period, the requirement is met in a timely fashion if the document is electronically transmitted by the attorney general within that period.
(c) This section does not affect the right of a person or governmental body to submit information to the attorney general under Section 552.308.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 552 (H.B. 2866), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.
Sec. 552.310. SEARCHABLE DATABASE. (a) The office of the attorney general shall make available on the office's Internet website an easily accessible and searchable database consisting of:
(1) information identifying each request for an attorney general decision made under this subchapter; and
(2) the attorney general's opinion issued for the request.
(b) The database at a minimum must allow a person to search for a request or opinion described by Subsection (a) by:
(1) the name of the governmental body making the request; and
(2) the exception under Subchapter C that a governmental body asserts in the request applies to its request to withhold information from public disclosure.
(c) The database must allow a person to view the current status of a request described by Subsection (a)(1) and an estimated timeline indicating the date each stage of review of the request will be started and completed.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 847 (H.B. 3033), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2023.
SUBCHAPTER H. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 552.321. SUIT FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS. (a) A requestor or the attorney general may file suit for a writ of mandamus compelling a governmental body to make information available for public inspection if the governmental body refuses to request an attorney general's decision as provided by Subchapter G or refuses to supply public information or information that the attorney general has determined is public information that is not excepted from disclosure under Subchapter C.
(b) A suit filed by a requestor under this section must be filed in a district court for the county in which the main offices of the governmental body are located. A suit filed by the attorney general under this section must be filed in a district court of Travis County, except that a suit against a municipality with a population of 100,000 or less must be filed in a district court for the county in which the main offices of the municipality are located.
(c) A requestor may file suit for a writ of mandamus compelling a governmental body or an entity to comply with the requirements of Subchapter J.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 8, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.3215. DECLARATORY JUDGMENT OR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. (a) In this section:
(1) "Complainant" means a person who claims to be the victim of a violation of this chapter.
(2) "State agency" means a board, commission, department, office, or other agency that:
(A) is in the executive branch of state government;
(B) was created by the constitution or a statute of this state; and
(C) has statewide jurisdiction.
(b) An action for a declaratory judgment or injunctive relief may be brought in accordance with this section against a governmental body that violates this chapter.
(c) The district or county attorney for the county in which a governmental body other than a state agency is located or the attorney general may bring the action in the name of the state only in a district court for that county. If the governmental body extends into more than one county, the action may be brought only in the county in which the administrative offices of the governmental body are located.
(d) If the governmental body is a state agency, the Travis County district attorney or the attorney general may bring the action in the name of the state only in a district court of Travis County.
(e) A complainant may file a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter. The complaint must be filed with the district or county attorney of the county in which the governmental body is located unless the governmental body is the district or county attorney. If the governmental body extends into more than one county, the complaint must be filed with the district or county attorney of the county in which the administrative offices of the governmental body are located. If the governmental body is a state agency, the complaint may be filed with the Travis County district attorney. If the governmental body is the district or county attorney, the complaint must be filed with the attorney general. To be valid, a complaint must:
(1) be in writing and signed by the complainant;
(2) state the name of the governmental body that allegedly committed the violation, as accurately as can be done by the complainant;
(3) state the time and place of the alleged commission of the violation, as definitely as can be done by the complainant; and
(4) in general terms, describe the violation.
(f) A district or county attorney with whom the complaint is filed shall indicate on the face of the written complaint the date the complaint is filed.
(g) Before the 31st day after the date a complaint is filed under Subsection (e), the district or county attorney shall:
(1) determine whether:
(A) the violation alleged in the complaint was committed; and
(B) an action will be brought against the governmental body under this section; and
(2) notify the complainant in writing of those determinations.
(h) Notwithstanding Subsection (g)(1), if the district or county attorney believes that that official has a conflict of interest that would preclude that official from bringing an action under this section against the governmental body complained of, before the 31st day after the date the complaint was filed the county or district attorney shall inform the complainant of that official's belief and of the complainant's right to file the complaint with the attorney general. If the district or county attorney determines not to bring an action under this section, the district or county attorney shall:
(1) include a statement of the basis for that determination; and
(2) return the complaint to the complainant.
(i) If the district or county attorney determines not to bring an action under this section, the complainant is entitled to file the complaint with the attorney general before the 31st day after the date the complaint is returned to the complainant. A complainant is entitled to file a complaint with the attorney general on or after the 90th day after the date the complainant files the complaint with a district or county attorney if the district or county attorney has not brought an action under this section. On receipt of the written complaint, the attorney general shall comply with each requirement in Subsections (g) and (h) in the time required by those subsections. If the attorney general decides to bring an action under this section against a governmental body located only in one county in response to the complaint, the attorney general must comply with Subsection (c).
(j) An action may be brought under this section only if the official proposing to bring the action notifies the governmental body in writing of the official's determination that the alleged violation was committed and the governmental body does not cure the violation before the fourth day after the date the governmental body receives the notice.
(k) An action authorized by this section is in addition to any other civil, administrative, or criminal action provided by this chapter or another law.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 28, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 894 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2017.
Sec. 552.322. DISCOVERY OF INFORMATION UNDER PROTECTIVE ORDER PENDING FINAL DETERMINATION. In a suit filed under this chapter, the court may order that the information at issue may be discovered only under a protective order until a final determination is made.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Sec. 552.3221. IN CAMERA INSPECTION OF INFORMATION. (a) In any suit filed under this chapter, the information at issue may be filed with the court for in camera inspection as is necessary for the adjudication of the case.
(b) Upon receipt of the information at issue for in camera inspection, the court shall enter an order that prevents release to or access by any person other than the court, a reviewing court of appeals, or parties permitted to inspect the information pursuant to a protective order. The order shall further note the filing date and time.
(c) The information at issue filed with the court for in camera inspection shall be:
(1) appended to the order and transmitted by the court to the clerk for filing as "information at issue";
(2) maintained in a sealed envelope or in a manner that precludes disclosure of the information; and
(3) transmitted by the clerk to any court of appeal as part of the clerk's record.
(d) Information filed with the court under this section does not constitute "court records" within the meaning of Rule 76a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and shall not be made available by the clerk or any custodian of record for public inspection.
(e) For purposes of this section, "information at issue" is defined as information held by a governmental body that forms the basis of a suit under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 461 (S.B. 983), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.
Sec. 552.323. ASSESSMENT OF COSTS OF LITIGATION AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY FEES. (a) In an action brought under Section 552.321 or 552.3215, the court shall assess costs of litigation and reasonable attorney fees incurred by a plaintiff who substantially prevails, except that the court may not assess those costs and fees against a governmental body if the court finds that the governmental body acted in reasonable reliance on:
(1) a judgment or an order of a court applicable to the governmental body;
(2) the published opinion of an appellate court; or
(3) a written decision of the attorney general, including a decision issued under Subchapter G or an opinion issued under Section 402.042.
(b) In an action brought under Section 552.324, the court may not assess costs of litigation or reasonable attorney's fees incurred by a plaintiff or defendant who substantially prevails unless the court finds the action or the defense of the action was groundless in fact or law. In exercising its discretion under this subsection, the court shall consider whether the conduct of the governmental body had a reasonable basis in law and whether the litigation was brought in good faith.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 29, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 616 (S.B. 988), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Sec. 552.324. SUIT BY GOVERNMENTAL BODY. (a) The only suit a governmental body may file seeking to withhold information from a requestor is a suit that:
(1) is filed in a Travis County district court against the attorney general in accordance with Section 552.325; and
(2) seeks declaratory relief from compliance with a decision by the attorney general issued under Subchapter G.
(b) The governmental body must bring the suit not later than the 30th calendar day after the date the governmental body receives the decision of the attorney general determining that the requested information must be disclosed to the requestor. If the governmental body does not bring suit within that period, the governmental body shall comply with the decision of the attorney general. If a governmental body wishes to preserve an affirmative defense for its officer for public information as provided in Section 552.353(b)(3), suit must be filed within the deadline provided in Section 552.353(b)(3).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 578, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 13.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 30, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 552.325. PARTIES TO SUIT SEEKING TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION. (a) A governmental body, officer for public information, or other person or entity that files a suit seeking to withhold information from a requestor may not file suit against the person requesting the information. The requestor is entitled to intervene in the suit.
(b) The governmental body, officer for public information, or other person or entity that files the suit shall demonstrate to the court that the governmental body, officer for public information, or other person or entity made a timely good faith effort to inform the requestor, by certified mail or by another written method of notice that requires the return of a receipt, of:
(1) the existence of the suit, including the subject matter and cause number of the suit and the court in which the suit is filed;
(2) the requestor's right to intervene in the suit or to choose to not participate in the suit;
(3) the fact that the suit is against the attorney general in Travis County district court; and
(4) the address and phone number of the office of the attorney general.
(c) If the attorney general enters into a proposed settlement that all or part of the information that is the subject of the suit should be withheld, the attorney general shall notify the requestor of that decision and, if the requestor has not intervened in the suit, of the requestor's right to intervene to contest the withholding. The attorney general shall notify the requestor:
(1) in the manner required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, if the requestor has intervened in the suit; or
(2) by certified mail or by another written method of notice that requires the return of a receipt, if the requestor has not intervened in the suit.
(d) The court shall allow the requestor a reasonable period to intervene after the attorney general attempts to give notice under Subsection (c)(2).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 578, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 13.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1231, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 552.326. FAILURE TO RAISE EXCEPTIONS BEFORE ATTORNEY GENERAL. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the only exceptions to required disclosure within Subchapter C that a governmental body may raise in a suit filed under this chapter are exceptions that the governmental body properly raised before the attorney general in connection with its request for a decision regarding the matter under Subchapter G.
(b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit a governmental body from raising an exception:
(1) based on a requirement of federal law; or
(2) involving the property or privacy interests of another person.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1319, Sec. 31, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Sec. 552.327. DISMISSAL OF SUIT DUE TO REQUESTOR'S WITHDRAWAL OR ABANDONMENT OF REQUEST. A court may dismiss a suit challenging a decision of the attorney general brought in accordance with this chapter if:
(1) all parties to the suit agree to the dismissal; and
(2) the attorney general determines and represents to the court that the requestor has voluntarily withdrawn the request for information in writing or has abandoned the request.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 474 (H.B. 2248), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.
SUBCHAPTER I. CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS
Sec. 552.351. DESTRUCTION, REMOVAL, OR ALTERATION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) A person commits an offense if the person wilfully destroys, mutilates, removes without permission as provided by this chapter, or alters public information.
(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by:
(1) a fine of not less than $25 or more than $4,000;
(2) confinement in the county jail for not less than three days or more than three months; or
(3) both the fine and confinement.
(c) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a) that the public information was transferred under Section 441.204.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 25, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 771, Sec. 2, eff. June 13, 2001.
Sec. 552.352. DISTRIBUTION OR MISUSE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. (a) A person commits an offense if the person distributes information considered confidential under the terms of this chapter.
(a-1) An officer or employee of a governmental body who obtains access to confidential information under Section 552.008 commits an offense if the officer or employee knowingly:
(1) uses the confidential information for a purpose other than the purpose for which the information was received or for a purpose unrelated to the law that permitted the officer or employee to obtain access to the information, including solicitation of political contributions or solicitation of clients;
(2) permits inspection of the confidential information by a person who is not authorized to inspect the information; or
(3) discloses the confidential information to a person who is not authorized to receive the information.
(a-2) For purposes of Subsection (a-1), a member of an advisory committee to a governmental body who obtains access to confidential information in that capacity is considered to be an officer or employee of the governmental body.
(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by:
(1) a fine of not more than $1,000;
(2) confinement in the county jail for not more than six months; or
(3) both the fine and confinement.
(c) A violation under this section constitutes official misconduct.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 249, Sec. 7.01, 7.02, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1089, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Sec. 552.353. FAILURE OR REFUSAL OF OFFICER FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO OR COPYING OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) An officer for public information, or the officer's agent, commits an offense if, with criminal negligence, the officer or the officer's agent fails or refuses to give access to, or to permit or provide copying of, public information to a requestor as provided by this chapter.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the officer for public information reasonably believed that public access to the requested information was not required and that:
(1) the officer acted in reasonable reliance on a court order or a written interpretation of this chapter contained in an opinion of a court of record or of the attorney general issued under Subchapter G;
(2) the officer requested a decision from the attorney general in accordance with Subchapter G, and the decision is pending; or
(3) not later than the 10th calendar day after the date of receipt of a decision by the attorney general that the information is public, the officer or the governmental body for whom the defendant is the officer for public information filed a petition for a declaratory judgment against the attorney general in a Travis County district court seeking relief from compliance with the decision of the attorney general, as provided by Section 552.324, and the cause is pending.
(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that a person or entity has, not later than the 10th calendar day after the date of receipt by a governmental body of a decision by the attorney general that the information is public, filed a cause of action seeking relief from compliance with the decision of the attorney general, as provided by Section 552.325, and the cause is pending.
(d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the defendant is the agent of an officer for public information and that the agent reasonably relied on the written instruction of the officer for public information not to disclose the public information requested.
(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by:
(1) a fine of not more than $1,000;
(2) confinement in the county jail for not more than six months; or
(3) both the fine and confinement.
(f) A violation under this section constitutes official misconduct.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 25, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1377 (S.B. 1182), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER J. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO CONTRACTING INFORMATION
Sec. 552.371. CERTAIN ENTITIES REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CONTRACTING INFORMATION TO GOVERNMENTAL BODY IN CONNECTION WITH REQUEST. (a) This section applies to an entity that is not a governmental body that executes a contract with a governmental body that:
(1) has a stated expenditure of at least $1 million in public funds for the purchase of goods or services by the governmental body; or
(2) results in the expenditure of at least $1 million in public funds for the purchase of goods or services by the governmental body in a fiscal year of the governmental body.
(b) This section applies to a written request for public information received by a governmental body that is a party to a contract described by Subsection (a) for contracting information related to the contract that is in the custody or possession of the entity and not maintained by the governmental body.
(c) A governmental body that receives a written request for information described by Subsection (b) shall request that the entity provide the information to the governmental body. The governmental body must send the request in writing to the entity not later than the third business day after the date the governmental body receives the written request described by Subsection (b).
(d) Notwithstanding Section 552.301:
(1) a request for an attorney general's decision under Section 552.301(b) to determine whether contracting information subject to a written request described by Subsection (b) falls within an exception to disclosure under this chapter is considered timely if made not later than the 13th business day after the date the governmental body receives the written request described by Subsection (b);
(2) the statement and copy described by Section 552.301(d) is considered timely if provided to the requestor not later than the 13th business day after the date the governmental body receives the written request described by Subsection (b);
(3) a submission described by Section 552.301(e) is considered timely if submitted to the attorney general not later than the 18th business day after the date the governmental body receives the written request described by Subsection (b); and
(4) a copy described by Section 552.301(e-1) is considered timely if sent to the requestor not later than the 18th business day after the date the governmental body receives the written request described by Subsection (b).
(e) Section 552.302 does not apply to information described by Subsection (b) if the governmental body:
(1) complies with the requirements of Subsection (c) in a good faith effort to obtain the information from the contracting entity;
(2) is unable to meet a deadline described by Subsection (d) because the contracting entity failed to provide the information to the governmental body not later than the 13th business day after the date the governmental body received the written request for the information; and
(3) if applicable and notwithstanding the deadlines prescribed by Sections 552.301(b), (d), (e), and (e-1), complies with the requirements of those subsections not later than the eighth business day after the date the governmental body receives the information from the contracting entity.
(f) Nothing in this section affects the deadlines or duties of a governmental body under Section 552.301 regarding information the governmental body maintains, including contracting information.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 9, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.372. BIDS AND CONTRACTS. (a) A contract described by Section 552.371 must require a contracting entity to:
(1) preserve all contracting information related to the contract as provided by the records retention requirements applicable to the governmental body for the duration of the contract;
(2) promptly provide to the governmental body any contracting information related to the contract that is in the custody or possession of the entity on request of the governmental body; and
(3) on completion of the contract, either:
(A) provide at no cost to the governmental body all contracting information related to the contract that is in the custody or possession of the entity; or
(B) preserve the contracting information related to the contract as provided by the records retention requirements applicable to the governmental body.
(b) Unless Section 552.374(c) applies, a bid for a contract described by Section 552.371 and the contract must include the following statement: "The requirements of Subchapter J, Chapter 552, Government Code, may apply to this (include "bid" or "contract" as applicable) and the contractor or vendor agrees that the contract can be terminated if the contractor or vendor knowingly or intentionally fails to comply with a requirement of that subchapter."
(c) A governmental body may not accept a bid for a contract described by Section 552.371 or award the contract to an entity that the governmental body has determined has knowingly or intentionally failed to comply with this subchapter in a previous bid or contract described by that section unless the governmental body determines and documents that the entity has taken adequate steps to ensure future compliance with the requirements of this subchapter.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 9, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.373. NONCOMPLIANCE WITH PROVISION OF SUBCHAPTER. A governmental body that is the party to a contract described by Section 552.371 shall provide notice to the entity that is a party to the contract if the entity fails to comply with a requirement of this subchapter applicable to the entity. The notice must:
(1) be in writing;
(2) state the requirement of this subchapter that the entity has violated; and
(3) unless Section 552.374(c) applies, advise the entity that the governmental body may terminate the contract without further obligation to the entity if the entity does not cure the violation on or before the 10th business day after the date the governmental body provides the notice.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 9, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.374. TERMINATION OF CONTRACT FOR NONCOMPLIANCE. (a) Subject to Subsection (c), a governmental body may terminate a contract described by Section 552.371 if:
(1) the governmental body provides notice under Section 552.373 to the entity that is party to the contract;
(2) the contracting entity does not cure the violation in the period prescribed by Section 552.373;
(3) the governmental body determines that the contracting entity has intentionally or knowingly failed to comply with a requirement of this subchapter; and
(4) the governmental body determines that the entity has not taken adequate steps to ensure future compliance with the requirements of this subchapter.
(b) For the purpose of Subsection (a), an entity has taken adequate steps to ensure future compliance with this subchapter if:
(1) the entity produces contracting information requested by the governmental body that is in the custody or possession of the entity not later than the 10th business day after the date the governmental body makes the request; and
(2) the entity establishes a records management program to enable the entity to comply with this subchapter.
(c) A governmental body may not terminate a contract under this section if the contract is related to the purchase or underwriting of a public security, the contract is or may be used as collateral on a loan, or the contract's proceeds are used to pay debt service of a public security or loan.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 9, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.375. OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS. Nothing in this subchapter prevents a governmental body from including and enforcing more stringent requirements in a contract to increase accountability or transparency.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 9, eff. January 1, 2020.
Sec. 552.376. CAUSE OF ACTION NOT CREATED. This subchapter does not create a cause of action to contest a bid for or the award of a contract with a governmental body.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 9, eff. January 1, 2020.