TITLE: Relating to compliance with the public information law by governmental bodies and the imposition of charges for providing copies of public information under that law; providing a civil penalty.

SUMMARY: Relating to compliance with the public information law by governmental bodies and the imposition of charges for providing copies of public information under that law; providing a civil penalty.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to compliance with the public information law by governmental bodies and the imposition of charges for providing copies of public information under that law; providing a civil penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 552.261, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: (f) A governmental body may not impose a charge under this subchapter for providing a copy of public information if the information is a report required to be filed with the governmental body under Subchapter Cor D, Chapter 254, Election Code, unless all of those reports filed with the governmental body during the preceding three years are available to the public on the governmental body's Internet website. SECTION 2. Section 552.269, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows: (c) The attorney general may cancel or reduce any charge or portion of a charge imposed by a governmental body under this subchapter if the attorney general determines that the governmental body: (1) has not maintained the requested information in accordance with standard recordkeeping practices; or (2) failed to comply with this chapter with regard to the request for public information for which the charge is imposed. (d) A governmental body may not knowingly fail to comply with this chapter with regard to a request for public information for which a charge is imposed. (e) A governmental body that violates Subsection (d) is liable to the state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each violation. (f) The attorney general may bring an action to collect a civil penalty under Subsection (e). SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a request for public information received by a governmental body or officer for public information on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.