We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to promoting open government and protection of the First Amendment rights of free speech and free press. We educate citizens and public officials about open government laws and public access. Attorneys who volunteer with FOIFT submit legal briefs in some cases of wide public interest.
The non-partisan organization was founded in 1978 and is led by a volunteer board of directors. FOIFT is supported by tax-deductible donations, by grants from foundations and by revenue generated at special events, such as our FOIFT annual conference.
The Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act are comprehensive state laws protecting the public’s right to know. These statutes originated some 50 years ago and have undergone updates through the years. The Legislature has periodically updated them to incorporate the use of modern technology. For more detailed explanations of these laws, go to our Resources tab on the home page of this website.
The Freedom of Information Foundation offers a free hotline at (800) 580-6651. By calling this number, you can reach an attorney who specializes in open government. The attorney can offer a generic opinion on the specifics of a situation, but the information is not to be construed as legal advice. You can also call the FOIFT office at (512) 377-1575 for general questions and for comments in news stories.
Education of the public is at the core of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas mission. In coordination with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, we host Open Government Seminars across the state. We offer a speaker’s bureau for interested organizations and for college and high school classes. The foundation’s Light of Day Project assists college students in reporting projects using open records laws. The FOI Foundation also tracks and testifies for bills each legislative session that would further open government to the public and opposes bills that would shut off information.
Call the FOI Foundation office in Austin at (512) 377-1575 or email executive director Kelley Shannon at [email protected].
We welcome donations from individuals, organizations and corporations at all financial levels. These generous contributions support the mission and programs of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Donations can be made online with a credit card by clicking the Donate button on the homepage, or checks can be mailed to:
Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
Austin, Texas 78705
Do it in writing
A Texas Public Information Act request doesn’t have to follow any certain format, though there are letter templates available at http://foift.org/resources/letter-templates/. Your request simply must be in writing to trigger the act. No “magic words” are necessary. Keep in mind that, depending on your source and what kind of rapport you’ve developed, it may be more expedient to simply verbally ask for the information you desire. Assess the situation.
Be Specific
Use precise language to request information. That helps the government employee locate the information more quickly. It also may save you time in going through documents and money when it comes to document costs. So-called fishing expeditions are not advised.
Allow redacting, if you can
By stating specifically in your written request that you don’t need certain information in the given documents, you may get the records faster. (This may be data that you know may lead to an attorney general ruling request and that you do not need for your reporting.)
Consider Breaking up a Request
If you have a fairly large volume of documents you are seeking, consider making more than one open records request, perhaps covering smaller time frames or smaller subgroups of the information you want. This way, when the first batch of information is filled you get it, rather than waiting on the entire body of information in the request to be compiled. Note that all requests received in one business day may be counted as a single request for cost purposes.
Response Time
In Texas, the governmental entity is supposed to supply the requested information promptly, and without delay. If the entity is going to request to withhold information, it has up to 10 business days to make that initial request to the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Once the AG’s office gets the ruling request, it has up to 45 business days to make a decision.
What if I’m denied information?
Generally, a governmental entity cannot outright deny records in Texas. It must seek an AG ruling – essentially getting permission to do so – unless it has a previous determination from the AG or there has been a blanket ruling on withholding such information, such as Social Security numbers or personal bank account information.
Clarifications
Be aware that a government official may ask you to clarify your request to narrow it. You may choose to do so to help facilitate the production of documents, but be aware that in Texas it resets the deadline clock.