H.B. No. 4219 amends the Government Code to enhance the response requirements for governmental bodies regarding public information requests. The bill introduces new provisions that require a governmental body to notify a requestor in writing within ten business days if it has no information responsive to the request or if the information is subject to a previous determination that allows for withholding. Additionally, the bill mandates that the notification must include the specific previous determination being relied upon to withhold the information.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a process for requestors to file complaints with the attorney general if a governmental body fails to respond as required. If the attorney general finds that the governmental body did not comply with the response requirements, it will notify the body and require training for its public information officer. The bill also stipulates that the governmental body cannot charge the requestor for producing the information and must seek an attorney general's decision within five business days if it intends to withhold information. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.221, Government Code 552.301 (Government Code 552)
House Committee Report: Government Code 552.221, Government Code 552.301 (Government Code 552)
Engrossed: Government Code 552.221, Government Code 552.301 (Government Code 552)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 552.221, Government Code 552.301 (Government Code 552)
Enrolled: Government Code 552.221, Government Code 552.301 (Government Code 552)