H.B. No. 111 amends the Texas Government Code to clarify the applicability of public information laws, particularly regarding the disclosure of information held by various governmental bodies. The bill expands the definition of "governmental body" to include nonprofit state associations or organizations that are primarily composed of local governmental entities, have more than 30 full-time employees, and receive public funds. Additionally, it establishes that records or communications created by these nonprofit organizations before September 1, 2025, are not considered public information and are exempt from disclosure under the public information law.

The bill also introduces several exceptions to the disclosure requirements, particularly concerning internal business records of certain nonprofit state associations, which may include trade secrets and proprietary information. It specifies that the attorney general must interpret exceptions to disclosure narrowly to favor public transparency. Furthermore, the bill repeals certain sections of the Government Code related to public information, streamlining the legal framework governing the disclosure of information by governmental bodies. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 552.003, Government Code 552.106, Government Code 552.107, Government Code 552.305, Government Code 552.915, Government Code 306.003, Government Code 306.004, Government Code 306.008 (Government Code 306, Government Code 552)
House Committee Report: Government Code 552.003, Government Code 552.106, Government Code 552.107, Government Code 306.003, Government Code 306.004, Government Code 306.008, Government Code 325.0195, Government Code 552.123 (Government Code 325, Government Code 306, Government Code 552)
Engrossed: Government Code 552.003, Government Code 552.106, Government Code 552.107, Government Code 306.003, Government Code 306.004, Government Code 306.008, Government Code 325.0195, Government Code 552.126 (Government Code 325, Government Code 306, Government Code 552)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 552.003, Government Code 552.106, Government Code 552.107, Government Code 306.003, Government Code 306.004, Government Code 306.008, Government Code 325.0195, Government Code 552.126 (Government Code 325, Government Code 306, Government Code 552)