H.B. No. 3711 introduces new provisions to enhance the investigation of open meetings offenses under Chapter 551 of the Government Code. It mandates that law enforcement agencies submitting reports indicating probable cause for criminal offenses under this chapter must also send a copy of the report to the open records division of the attorney general's office. Additionally, upon request from the attorney general, these agencies are required to provide any non-public information related to the investigation. The bill also allows district attorneys and county attorneys to seek assistance from the open records division in their investigations and requires them to share relevant information that has not been publicly disclosed.

Furthermore, if a district attorney or county attorney decides not to prosecute or to terminate an investigation related to an open meetings offense, they must publish a notice of their decision and the reasons for it on their office's website for at least one year. The open records division is also empowered to assist in investigations upon request from law enforcement or state attorneys, and it can request any necessary information that has not been made public. This act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.0252 (Government Code 411)
House Committee Report: Government Code 411.0252, Government Code 411.0253, Government Code 411.0254 (Government Code 411)
Engrossed: Government Code 411.0252, Government Code 411.0253, Government Code 411.0254 (Government Code 411)
Senate Committee Report: (Government Code 411)
Enrolled: (Government Code 411)