House Bill No. 4998 seeks to amend the Government Code to include independent organizations established to manage power regions as governmental bodies under the public information law. Specifically, it adds a new category to the definition of "governmental body" in Section 552.003(1) of the Government Code, which now includes "an independent organization established under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, to manage a power region." This change aims to ensure that these organizations are subject to the same transparency and public information requirements as other governmental entities.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 39.1517, to the Utilities Code, which stipulates that any law that makes information confidential or not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552 of the Government Code will also apply to independent organizations certified under Section 39.151. This provision reinforces the accountability of these organizations by ensuring that they adhere to the same standards of public information disclosure as other governmental bodies. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to requests for public information received on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.003 (Government Code 552)