Texas Legislature

Texas Senate approves third party allegation reporting bill

FOIFT2015-04-22T17:21:31-05:00

The Texas Senate approved legislation Wednesday that allows journalists to accurately report on third party allegations on matters of public importance. Senate Bill 627 by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, was agreed upon by the Texas Press Association, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and others. It clarifies a recent Texas Supreme Court decision and allows reporting on allegations that shine light on such matters as contracting wrongdoing, youth commission abuse and mistreatment of special education students. A similar measure, House Bill 1766, is pending in a House committee.

Texas Senate approves third party allegation reporting billFOIFT2015-04-22T17:21:31-05:00

Legislators consider bill allowing for reporting on wrongdoing allegations

FOIFT2015-04-21T20:33:42-05:00

Legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, that would allow continued accurate news reporting on wrongdoing allegations went before the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee on Tuesday. News organizations, trial lawyers and other groups have agreed on updates to House Bill 1766. The bill clarifies a recent Texas Supreme Court decision and codifies what has been common law for more than two decades. First Amendment attorney Laura Prather, a board member of the FOI Foundation of Texas, explained that under the proposed legislation reporters could continue reporting on allegations involving matters of public interest such as the 21CT contracting scandal; [...]

Legislators consider bill allowing for reporting on wrongdoing allegationsFOIFT2015-04-21T20:33:42-05:00

UPDATE: Many bills before legislative committees this week open, close access to government

FOIFT2015-04-15T20:39:10-05:00

Texas House and Senate committees are considering more than 20 bills this week that would open - and close - public access to state and local government. The House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee is holding a hearing Tuesday on House Bill 2633 by Rep. Ana Hernandez, D-Houston, that would close off public access to key information in traffic accident reports. Meanwhile, the House Business and Industry Committee is considering House Bill 3199 by Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, that would ban use of information obtained under the Texas Public Information Act for marketing purposes. On Wednesday, the House Government Transparency and [...]

UPDATE: Many bills before legislative committees this week open, close access to governmentFOIFT2015-04-15T20:39:10-05:00

Legislative Update: 2015 session

Jim2022-04-12T21:48:08-05:00

As the 2015 Texas legislative session came to a close, significant strides were made in the free speech and transparency areas. The most important legislative victory for journalists was passage of Senate Bill 627, which codifies a defense for the news media's accurate reporting of third-party allegations. Accurate reporting on such allegations had been protected under Texas common law for 25 years but was called into question in a Texas Supreme Court ruling. Legislative Update: 2015 session passage of Senate Bill 627

Legislative Update: 2015 sessionJim2022-04-12T21:48:08-05:00

Senators hear testimony on police body cameras

FOIFT2015-03-24T21:31:50-05:00

AUSTIN _ Legislation that would supply and train Texas police officers with body cameras remains "a work in progress" but it's important to start debating the issue, Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, told a state Senate committee Tuesday. Confrontations involving police and citizens across the nation point to the potential usefulness of police body cameras, West said, adding the time "is ripe for public consideration." The Senate Criminal Justice Committee heard testimony on his Senate Bill 158, which West said sets out guidelines for local police agencies to use in setting body camera policies. He noted that a committee substitute and upcoming [...]

Senators hear testimony on police body camerasFOIFT2015-03-24T21:31:50-05:00

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