House Bill No. 4219 amends the Government Code to enhance the requirements for governmental bodies in responding to public information requests. The bill introduces new provisions that mandate 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 requires the governmental body to specify the previous determination relied upon when withholding 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 can mandate training for the public information officer and prohibit the governmental body from charging the requestor for producing the information. The changes will apply only to requests received on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.221, Government Code 552.301 (Government Code 552)