Opinion ID: 2828983
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Public Information Act Provides for Prompt Disclosure of Public Information.

Text: The PIA codifies and strengthens the policy of the State of Texas that the people are entitled to “complete information” about the affairs of government. Tex. Gov’t Code §§ 552.001, .021. From this initial premise, the statute then allows selected exceptions to the right to complete information. When a member of the public requests public information, the governmental entity “shall promptly produce public information.” Id . § 552.221(a). “‘[P] romptly ’ means as soon as possible under the circumstances, that is, within a reasonable time, without delay.” Id. If the entity believes that any of the requested information is protected from disclosure by the exceptions in Subchapter C of the PIA, it must request, within ten business days, an opinion from the Attorney General on whether the information may indeed be withheld. Id . § 552.301(a), (b). The provisions of Subchapter C set forth the exceptions from disclosure for public information. See id . §§ 552.101–.151. These are the standards the Office of the Attorney General considers when it receives compliant requests by governmental bodies to withhold public information under section 552.021. When the governmental body fails to request an attorney general decision on withholding certain public information within the PIA deadline, the statute establishes a presumption that the information must be publicly disclosed. Id . § 552.302. The information then may only be withheld if the governmental body establishes a “compelling reason” to do so. Id. The Attorney General opined that the City of Dallas did not timely file its request for a decision on the asserted attorney-client privilege, an issue I now consider.