Transparency

Aleshire: Judge’s ruling shows officials must comply with Texas Open Meetings Act

FOIFT2025-06-27T16:27:14-05:00

By Bill Aleshire Attorney On June 23, Judge Catherine Mauzy signed our summary judgment order (Les Carnes, Jim Camp, Cathy Ramsey, and Gabrielle Moore v. Hays County Judge & Commissioners, Cause No. D-1-GN-25-002049, 126th District Court, Travis County, Texas) granting our clients' election contest and killed the $439 million Hays County Road Bonds due to Open Meetings violations for inadequate meeting notice and unreasonable restriction on time for public testimony on a bond package election. The bond package would have doubled the county’s (and taxpayers’) outstanding indebtedness. It’s a huge win for enforcement of the Texas Open Meetings Act. This case [...]

Aleshire: Judge’s ruling shows officials must comply with Texas Open Meetings ActFOIFT2025-06-27T16:27:14-05:00

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

Texas Legislature passes TPIA ‘required response’ bill, sends it to governor

FOIFT2025-05-23T12:04:40-05:00

By Kelley Shannon FOI Foundation Executive Director The Texas Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed House Bill 4219 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, which requires governments to respond to public information requestors or face consequences. HB 4219 - already approved by the House - has now been sent to Gov. Greg Abbott. Unfortunately, some government officials currently do not respond to every Texas Public Information Act request. Some ignore information requests. Some don't respond if there are no responsive records or if they have a previous attorney general ruling allowing the specific records to be withheld. HB 4219 would [...]

Texas Legislature passes TPIA ‘required response’ bill, sends it to governorFOIFT2025-05-23T12:04:40-05:00

Transparency bills advancing at Texas Capitol shine light on government

FOIFT2025-05-06T16:37:38-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Sunlight is starting to break through at the Capitol in the final month of the Texas legislative session. Open government measures have won passage in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, and more House votes are scheduled on legislation championed by the broad-based Texas Sunshine Coalition. However, this transparency legislation is still waiting to be heard in the Senate. Action is needed soon in the upper chamber to protect Texans’ information rights before the Legislature adjourns June 2. It’s simple: Access to information builds public trust in government. House members approved House Bill 4219 by Rep. Giovanni [...]

Transparency bills advancing at Texas Capitol shine light on governmentFOIFT2025-05-06T16:37:38-05:00

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