The bill, H.B. No. 4998, amends the Government Code to classify 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" to include these independent organizations, which are established under Section 39.151 of the Utilities Code. This inclusion ensures that such organizations are subject to the same public information disclosure requirements as other governmental entities.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section in the Utilities Code that stipulates that any law making information confidential or exempt from disclosure under Chapter 552 of the Government Code will also apply to independent organizations certified under Section 39.151. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to requests for public information received on or after that date, maintaining the previous law for requests made before the effective date.

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