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Audit details backlog of public records requests at Austin Police Department

By Skye Seipp Austin American-Statesman Originally published Aug. 24, 2023 If you file an open records request with the Austin Police Department, you might have to wait significantly longer to receive that information than if you sought records from another city department. An audit found the Police Department has a backlog of nearly 20,000 public information requests, largely because its staff to handle these requests is 20 times smaller than that of the city's — even though the Police Department receives double the number of requests per year compared with the city. These findings were presented to the Austin City Council [...]

Audit details backlog of public records requests at Austin Police Department2023-08-25T12:47:17-05:00

Judge says DPS must release documents related to Uvalde shooting response

By William Melhado The Texas Tribune Originally published June 29, 2023 A state district judge on Thursday ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin the process of releasing public records related to law enforcement’s response to the Uvalde school shooting, granting a request by The Texas Tribune and other news organizations. Over a dozen news organizations sued DPS last year, accusing it of unlawfully withholding the records related to the May shooting at Robb Elementary School. The records concern the botched police response, during which officers waited over an hour to confront the shooter who killed 19 children and [...]

Judge says DPS must release documents related to Uvalde shooting response2023-06-30T08:39:44-05:00

Former Angelina County judge found guilty of violating Open Meetings Act

By KTRE Digital Media Staff Originally published June 28, 2023 LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - A former Angelina County judge has been found guilty of violating the open meetings act following his trial. Don Lymbery, the former Angelina County judge, was indicted in March 2022 along with two other county authorities in connection with violating the open meeting act. The charge stems from an Aug. 9, 2021, meeting of the three men in Lymbery’s office. Lymbery denied any wrongdoing, claiming the conversation between the three did not include county business and added that he had to leave his office for an interview [...]

Former Angelina County judge found guilty of violating Open Meetings Act2023-06-28T16:32:42-05:00

Law closing police loophole in Public Information Act to take effect Sept. 1

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas A loophole in the Texas Public Information Act that many law enforcement departments use to withhold records when someone dies in police custody will be closed with a new law taking effect Sept. 1. House Bill 30 by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, passed both the Texas House and Senate and resulted in a compromise bill that won final approval in both chambers. Gov. Greg Abbott allowed it to become law without his signature as his veto period ended Sunday, June 18. No longer will police departments be able to [...]

Law closing police loophole in Public Information Act to take effect Sept. 12023-07-07T14:37:30-05:00

Texas Legislature approves open government bills in 2023 session’s final days

For Immediate Release May 29, 2023 Texas Legislature approves open government bills in session’s final days  AUSTIN – Major transparency initiatives shoring up the Texas Public Information Act won approval in the state Legislature before the session’s final day Monday. The legislation now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott. A measure by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, that won final passage Sunday night would close a legal loophole used by some police departments to withhold records when a person dies in police custody or in other interactions with law enforcement. House Bill 30, which had been debated in previous sessions, took on [...]

Texas Legislature approves open government bills in 2023 session’s final days2023-07-07T14:11:12-05:00

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