Transparency

AUSTIN - The Texas House today approved legislation that allows journalists to continue accurately reporting on allegations of wrongdoing in matters of public importance. The legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, and Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, clarifies a recent Texas Supreme Court decision. The measure provides protection under libel law for reporting on third party allegations that shine light on matters such as contracting malfeasance, youth commission abuse and mistreatment of special education students. The bill already won Senate approval. It now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, Texas Press Association, [...]

AUSTIN - Texas would join a small number of states banning one-party consent for electronic recordings of conversations under a bill the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee considered Tuesday. Senate Bill 1223 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, would require all parties that are in a conversation to give their consent to a recording. Only 12 states have such a law. Most states and the federal government do not. There are numerous reasons why Texans might need to record their own conversation without seeking the other party's consent, and Texas would become an "outlier state" if the measure passes, said attorney Stacy [...]