Senate Bill No. 986 seeks to improve Texas's public information law by implementing expedited response protocols and imposing penalties for bad faith requests. A significant addition is Subchapter K, which allows governmental bodies that meet specific training requirements to withhold information they deem excepted from disclosure without needing to seek an attorney general decision. The bill also introduces a $1,000 fee for processing requests identified as made in bad faith, along with a $500 daily charge for delays in providing information following such a determination. Additionally, the bill clarifies response timelines and conditions under which information is presumed public, specifying that a request is considered received upon the provision of a deposit or bond.

Moreover, the bill establishes training and certification requirements for individuals confirming information under Section 552.403(a)(4)(F) and mandates that governmental bodies maintain and publicly display these training certificates. It also outlines a process for revoking a governmental body's authorization to respond to requests if compliance with the new requirements is not met, granting the Attorney General the authority to revoke such authorizations and notify affected parties. The Attorney General is tasked with publishing lists of individuals with active training certificates and those whose authorizations have been revoked, as well as collecting data on the implementation of these changes, with a report due by February 1, 2027. The new provisions will apply only to requests received on or after September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.2615, Government Code 552.263, Government Code 552.302, Government Code 552.321, Government Code 552.352, Government Code 6.03, Chapter , Government Code 552.324 (Government Code 6, Government Code 552, Chapter , Government Code 552)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 552.2615, Government Code 552.263, Government Code 552.302, Government Code 552.321, Government Code 552.352, Government Code 6.03, Chapter , Government Code 552.324 (Government Code 6, Government Code 552, Chapter , Government Code 552)
Engrossed: Government Code 552.2615, Government Code 552.263, Government Code 552.302, Government Code 552.321, Government Code 552.352, Government Code 6.03, Chapter , Government Code 552.324 (Government Code 6, Government Code 552, Chapter , Government Code 552)