Source: https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/openrecords/49cornyn/ord/2001/htm/ord20010673.htm
Timestamp: 2016-12-03 20:06:30
Document Index: 431049056

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 552', '§ 552', '§ 552', '§ 552', '§ 552', '§ 552', '§ 552', '§ 552', '§ 1232', '§ 1232']

Code § 552.011. Under that authority, we consider what constitutes a "previous
Gov't Code § 552.301(a) (emphasis added). The above language first sets forth a general
process a governmental body must follow if it seeks to withhold information from the public. See Gov't Code §§ 552.301, .302, .303, .305, .306. These procedural requirements are separate from the substantive provisions in the Act that lay out the particular exceptions a governmental body may assert.(4) To validly invoke an exception to disclosure a governmental body must comply with both the substance and the procedure, which means both identifying an exception that arguably applies (substance) and also seeking a ruling from the attorney general regarding whether that exception actually applies (procedure).
the attorney general in the procedural rulings process.(5) See Gov't Code §§ 552.302, .326. Indeed, the importance of the rulings process is specifically reinforced by the legislature's express authorization for this office to file suit against a governmental body that refuses to request a ruling from this office. See Gov't Code § 552.321. Thus, other provisions of the Act contemplate that the section 552.301(a) requirement that a governmental body seek a decision from this office is a legislative mandate that generally applies anytime a
information. Gov't Code § 552.001.
3. See Gov't Code § 552.001.
5. By way of illustration, even if litigation involving the governmental body is pending, section 552.326 of the Government Code prohibits a governmental body from raising, among other exceptions, section 552.103 of the Government Code in a suit filed against the governmental body under the Act if the governmental body did not properly raise section 552.103 in connection with its request for a decision from this office. See Gov't Code §§ 552.103, .326.
6. A governmental body must make an initial finding that it in good faith reasonably believes the requested information is excepted from disclosure. Open Records Decision No. 665 at 3 (2000). A governmental body should request a decision from this office if it is unclear to the governmental body whether there has been a change in the law, facts, or circumstances on which the prior decision was based. 7. Previous determinations of the second type can apply to all governmental bodies if the decision so provides. See, e.g., Open Records Decision No. 670 (2001) (concluding that all governmental bodies subject to the Act may withhold information that is subject to section 552.117(2) of the Government Code without the necessity of seeking a decision from this office). The second type of previous determination can also apply to all governmental bodies of a certain type. See, e.g., Open Records Decision No. 634 (1995) (applying to any governmental body that meets the definition of an "educational agency or institution" as defined in the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, see 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(a)(3)). On the other hand, if the decision is addressed to a particular governmental body and does not explicitly provide that it also applies to other governmental bodies or to all governmental bodies of a certain type, then only the particular governmental body to which the decision is addressed may rely on the decision as a previous determination. See, e.g., Open Records Decision No. 662 (1999) (constituting the second type of previous determination but only with respect to information held by the Texas Department of Health).
9. See 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(a)(3) (defining "educational agency or institution" under FERPA). POST OFFICE BOX 12548, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-2548 TEL: (512) 463-2100 WEB: WWW.OAG.STATE.TX.US