Legislative Update

City of Killeen violating state law on citizens’ comments, attorney says

FOIFT2025-01-13T15:24:22-06:00

By Kevin Limiti Killeen Daily Herald Originally published Jan. 12, 2025 The city of Killeen may have been violating the Texas Open Meetings Act in regards to citizen comments ever since June when the structure of the Killeen City Council meetings were changed. The Killeen City Council meetings start at 3 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month, divided into work and regular sessions with citizen comments taking place in between. But prominent Austin lawyer Bill Aleshire says that this is an obvious violation of the law, and past council decisions could be subject to being declared void [...]

City of Killeen violating state law on citizens’ comments, attorney saysFOIFT2025-01-13T15:24:22-06:00

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

FOIFT2023-07-07T14:11:12-05:00

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 daysFOIFT2023-07-07T14:11:12-05:00

Transparency legislation makes progress in Texas House of Representatives

FOIFT2023-05-09T11:27:53-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas May 9, 2023 Transparency proposals supported by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the diverse Texas Sunshine Coalition have progressed in the Texas House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. House Bill 2493 by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, is a searchable-sortable records bill requiring information to be supplied in spreadsheet format when available. The measure won final passage in the House on Saturday. It now moves on to the Texas Senate. Legislation defining "business days" under the Texas Public Information Act, carried in the House by Rep. Terry [...]

Transparency legislation makes progress in Texas House of RepresentativesFOIFT2023-05-09T11:27:53-05:00

Legislative Update: 2021 session

FOIFT2022-04-13T14:38:39-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers approved two key transparency measures this session to ensure greater access to public records after some governments closed off information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Greg Abbott signed both bills in the final days of the legislative session. The laws take effect Sept. 1. Senate Bill 930 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, guarantees the public’s right to know about coronavirus and other communicable disease outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living centers. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, co-authored the legislation, and Reps. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, and Toni Rose, D-Dallas, co-sponsored the bill in the House [...]

Legislative Update: 2021 sessionFOIFT2022-04-13T14:38:39-05:00

Legislative Update: 2019 session

FOIFT2022-04-13T14:38:52-05:00

AUSTIN – The Texas Legislature approved measures this session to repair holes in the state’s Public Information Act and shore up the Open Meetings Act in the wake of detrimental court rulings. The bipartisan initiatives won final approval in the days and hours before lawmakers adjourned Monday. They address openness in government contracting; the ability to access public records stored in private electronic accounts; and the ban on government officials meeting secretly in “walking quorums.” These and several other transparency bills now head to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. “The Freedom of Information Foundation was pleased to work with broad-based bipartisan organizations [...]

Legislative Update: 2019 sessionFOIFT2022-04-13T14:38:52-05:00

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