PIA

Police records bill that raised transparency concerns dies in special session

FOIFT2025-09-04T09:32:01-05:00

UPDATE, Sept. 4: The Texas House adjourned its special session Wednesday night without taking action on the Senate version of the police records bill. The Senate had stripped out public access amendments the House had added. HB 15 is dead for this special session. UPDATE, Sept. 3: After the House approved HB 15 on Thursday with two amendments - one protecting the deceased suspect law passed in 2023 to allow public access to information when someone dies in police custody and the other protecting the rights of families in mass casualty events like Uvalde to view information - the bill moved [...]

Police records bill that raised transparency concerns dies in special sessionFOIFT2025-09-04T09:32:01-05:00

Appeals court orders release of Uvalde school shooting records

FOIFT2025-07-21T15:14:11-05:00

By Ayden Runnels The Texas Tribune Originally published July 16, 2025 A state appeals court judge on Wednesday ordered Uvalde County and its school district to release records and documents related to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, affirming a previous trial court order. A coalition of 18 news organizations, including The Texas Tribune, sued the City of Uvalde, Uvalde County and the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District in 2022 for access to body camera footage, 911 call records and communications made during the school shooting. Law enforcements’ response to Texas’ deadliest school shooting, in which 19 students and two teachers [...]

Appeals court orders release of Uvalde school shooting recordsFOIFT2025-07-21T15:14:11-05:00

Why Gov. Greg Abbott won’t release his emails with Elon Musk

FOIFT2025-07-18T17:37:45-05:00

By Lauren McGaughy The Texas Newsroom Originally published July 14, 2025 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doesn’t want to reveal months of communications with Elon Musk or representatives from the tech mogul’s companies, arguing in part that they are of a private nature, not of public interest and potentially embarrassing. Musk had an eventful legislative session in Texas this year. In addition to his lobbyists successfully advocating for several new laws, Abbott cited the Tesla and SpaceX CEO as the inspiration for the state creating its own efficiency office and has praised him for moving the headquarters for many of his businesses [...]

Why Gov. Greg Abbott won’t release his emails with Elon MuskFOIFT2025-07-18T17:37:45-05:00

Governor signs a leading Sunshine Coalition transparency measure

FOIFT2025-06-25T09:17:39-05:00

Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law House Bill 4219, requiring governments to issue a written response to requestors who seek records under the Texas Public Information Act. The measure, a proposal of the Texas Sunshine Coalition, was put forth by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. It requires a written government reply even if it is to say there are no responsive documents or a previous attorney general ruling allows withholding those records. Governments who don't comply could face consequences including being required to undergo more open government training. As the deadline approached Sunday, June 22, to [...]

Governor signs a leading Sunshine Coalition transparency measureFOIFT2025-06-25T09:17:39-05:00

Texas lawmakers pass Public Information Act response bill, other transparency measures

FOIFT2025-06-02T21:06:03-05:00

For Immediate Release June 2, 2025 Texas Legislature passes Public Information Act response bill, sends it to governor AUSTIN – The Texas Legislature has approved a measure requiring government agencies to respond to public information requestors or face consequences – an important step in making government more accountable. House Bill 4219, put forth by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, has been sent to the governor. It requires governments to issue a written response to requestors who seek records under the Texas Public Information Act, even if there are no responsive documents or a previous attorney general ruling [...]

Texas lawmakers pass Public Information Act response bill, other transparency measuresFOIFT2025-06-02T21:06:03-05:00

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