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Bill targets out-of-state public information requests

FOIFT2015-02-16T16:11:05-06:00

What happens in Texas stays in Texas. At least it should, according to a controversial bill filed by a state lawmaker. State Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, has filed a proposal that requires government workers to release information sought under the Texas Public Information Act to Texans only. If a request comes in from out of state, the bill lets government workers decide whether they want to comply. “I’m a big fan of open government,” said Schofield, who served for years as former Gov. Rick Perry’s policy adviser, working on issues ranging from public information requests to voter ID. “The purpose of [...]

Bill targets out-of-state public information requestsFOIFT2015-02-16T16:11:05-06:00

Out of state, out of luck? Restraint on outside access among open records bills

FOIFT2015-02-12T16:40:59-06:00

By Allison Wisk The Dallas Morning News Originally published Feb. 11, 2015 Interest in prioritizing open government may wax and wane in the state Legislature. But as the first month of the legislative session draws to a close, a host of bills offered by lawmakers could impact the reach of the state’s sunshine law, the Texas Public Information Act. Most of those bills seek to carve out exceptions to disclosure of public information in other laws. But some legislators have proposed revisions to the language of the Public Information Act to change who is entitled to receive information, and what they are able [...]

Out of state, out of luck? Restraint on outside access among open records billsFOIFT2015-02-12T16:40:59-06:00

Bill would limit Public Information Act use to Texans

FOIFT2015-02-06T14:13:19-06:00

By Madlin Mekelburg Houston Chronicle Originally published Feb. 5, 2015 A bill filed Wednesday seeks to limit the scope of the Texas Public Information Act to Texas residents. The legislation, filed by Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, would allow members of a governmental body to decide if they want to deny or comply with open records requests filed by non-Texas residents. Current law stipulates public information in Texas must be made available to all members of the public, without regard to residency. “The purpose of Texas government is to serve Texans, not folks from other places,” Schofield said. “It costs money and [...]

Bill would limit Public Information Act use to TexansFOIFT2015-02-06T14:13:19-06:00

U.S. Senate Judiciary to move on FOIA reform sponsored by Cornyn, Leahy

FOIFT2015-02-03T23:54:23-06:00

By Mario Trujillo The Hill Originally published Feb. 3 ,2015 The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider an update to the law managing the public’s access to government records in one of its first legislative acts this year. Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Thursday will hold a markup of the FOIA Improvement Act, which unanimously passed the Senate last year but failed to make it to President Obama’s desk. Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the committee, on Monday re-introduced the bill to update the Freedom of Information Act along with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). One of the largest changes [...]

U.S. Senate Judiciary to move on FOIA reform sponsored by Cornyn, LeahyFOIFT2015-02-03T23:54:23-06:00

Abbott tweaks controversial email destruction policy

FOIFT2015-01-29T13:45:46-06:00

By David Saleh Rauf San Antonio Express-News Originally published Jan. 28, 2015 AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott has changed a controversial policy put in place by former Gov. Rick Perry to delete emails every seven days, extending the period to officially scrub emails to 30 days. An Abbott spokeswoman said the governor initiated the new the record retention rule on his first day on the job, Jan 20. Along with the change to Perry’s email policy, Abbott has created a new position in his office to handle all open records requests. Jordan Hale, the public information coordinator for Abbott when he [...]

Abbott tweaks controversial email destruction policyFOIFT2015-01-29T13:45:46-06:00

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