House Bill No. 1678 aims to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code regarding the collection and disclosure of public information. It introduces a new article, Article 2B.01015, which clarifies that "recording" from body-worn cameras includes audio, video, and audiovisual recordings. Additionally, it modifies Section 552.101 to specify that certain confidential information exceptions do not include attorney-client privilege, work product privilege, or other specified discovery privileges. The bill also amends Section 552.108 to ensure that basic information about arrests must be released promptly, regardless of other withholding provisions.

Further amendments include changes to Section 552.302, which establishes that if a governmental body fails to request an attorney general decision on public information, the information is presumed public unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it. The bill also repeals Section 552.231 and updates the fee structure for county clerks providing records in non-paper formats. The changes will apply only to requests for public information received on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.101, Government Code 552.108, Government Code 552.302, Local Government Code 118.011, Government Code 552.231 (Local Government Code 118, Government Code 552)