H.B. No. 4218 aims to enhance the maintenance and production of electronic public information under Texas public information law. The bill amends Section 552.002(a-2) of the Government Code to clarify that "public information" includes any electronic communication related to official business and a data dictionary indicating the type of information in a database, excluding metadata that pertains to database security. Additionally, a new Section 552.2285 is introduced, defining "electronic public information" as information produced and maintained in a searchable or sortable electronic format. This section emphasizes that governmental bodies must not restrict public access to this information and outlines the requirements for providing it in the requested format.

The bill also includes amendments to Section 118.011(e) of the Local Government Code, specifying that county clerks must charge fees for non-paper copies in accordance with Section 552.262, while repealing Section 552.231. The changes will only apply to requests for public information received on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Overall, the legislation seeks to ensure greater transparency and accessibility of electronic public information to the public.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 118.011, Government Code 552.231 (Local Government Code 118, Government Code 552)
House Committee Report: Local Government Code 118.011, Government Code 552.231 (Local Government Code 118, Government Code 552)