The bill amends the Texas Government Code to enhance the public information law by introducing new requirements for governmental bodies regarding the handling of information requests. Specifically, it adds Subsections (f) and (g) to Section 552.221, mandating that if a governmental body has no information responsive to a request, it must notify the requestor in writing within 10 business days. Additionally, if the requested information is subject to a previous determination that allows for withholding, the governmental body must inform the requestor of this decision and identify the specific determination relied upon, also within 10 business days.

Further amendments include the addition of Subsection (f) to Section 552.261, which prohibits governmental bodies from charging for copies of public information under certain conditions, such as when the information is a report required to be filed under the Election Code, unless all relevant reports are publicly available online. The bill also introduces Section 552.328, allowing requestors to file complaints with the attorney general if a governmental body fails to respond to their requests, and outlines the consequences for the governmental body if it is found to have improperly failed to comply. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to requests received on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.221, Government Code 552.261, Government Code 552.306, Government Code 552.324 (Government Code 552)