H.B. No. 5193 aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and regulatory processes within Texas state and local governments. The bill amends the Government Code to prohibit governmental bodies from charging for copies of public information related to election reports unless those reports have been publicly available online for the past three years. It also empowers the attorney general to cancel or reduce charges imposed by governmental bodies that fail to maintain requested information properly or do not comply with public information requests. Additionally, the Local Government Code is revised to allow applicants to seek third-party reviews or inspections if regulatory authorities do not act within specified timeframes, mandates municipalities to grant or deny building permits within 30 days, and introduces penalties for non-compliance, including the prohibition of collecting permit fees.

Moreover, the bill updates the Health and Safety Code concerning mobile food service establishments in counties with populations exceeding one million. It changes the heading of Chapter 437A to specify its applicability to these counties and allows for the delegation of inspection responsibilities to municipalities. The bill also prohibits municipalities from requiring permits beyond the state-required permit for mobile food service establishments, streamlining the process for these businesses. A new fee structure for permits is established, ensuring that fees only cover necessary costs associated with processing and inspections, while repealing Section 437.0073 of the Health and Safety Code. These changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply to any relevant ordinances or regulations adopted before, on, or after this date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.261, Government Code 552.269, Health and Safety Code 437.001, Health and Safety Code 437.0197, Local Government Code 214.904, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 71.010, Health and Safety Code 437.0073 (Civil Practice and Remedies Code 71, Government Code 552, Health and Safety Code 437, Local Government Code 214)