At the state Capitol, the FOI Foundation of Texas supports bills promoting transparency in government and protecting the rights of free speech and free press. The foundation’s staff and volunteers advocate for legislation that strengthens the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Open Meetings Act and other state laws. Here are updates about transparency efforts in recent Texas legislative sessions.
Legislative Update: 2015 session
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 [...]
Legislative Update: 2013 session
A significant open government bill approved in the 2013 legislative session expands the definition of public information in the Texas Public Information Act to include electronic communications created by, received by, or maintained by a public officer or employee connected to official business [...]
New laws protecting Texas newsrooms passed from 2009 to 2013
Over the three legislative sessions from 2009 to 2013, newsrooms have gained significantly greater protections under Texas law. Texas became the 37th state to enact a reporter's privilege law in 2009. In 2011, the Legislature joined 27 other states in adopting an anti-SLAPP statute [...]
Law closing police loophole in Public Information Act to take effect Sept. 1
By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas A loophole in the Texas Public Information Act that many law enforcement departments use to withhold records when someone dies in police custody will be closed with a new law taking effect Sept. 1. House Bill 30 by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, passed both the Texas House and Senate and resulted in [...]
Texas Legislature approves open government bills in 2023 session’s final days
For Immediate Release May 29, 2023 Texas Legislature approves open government bills in session’s final days AUSTIN – Major transparency initiatives shoring up the Texas Public Information Act won approval in the state Legislature before the session’s final day Monday. The legislation now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott. A measure by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, that won final passage Sunday night would close [...]
Transparency bill containing TPIA improvements moves ahead in Texas Legislature
By Kelley Shannon Executive Director FOI Foundation of Texas The Texas Senate has passed a major transparency bill that would protect the rights of information requestors and help ensure the Texas Public Information Act is carried out consistently statewide. House Bill 3033 by Rep. Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa, had already won passage in the Texas House. It was sponsored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, in the [...]
Texas Senate committee approves bill closing the ‘dead suspect loophole’ in TPIA
By Kelley Shannon FOI Foundation of Texas Legislation that would close a loophole in the Texas Public Information Act used by some police departments to withhold records when a person dies in custody won approval in a Senate committee Friday. House Bill 30 by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, was set for a sudden [...]
Police used loophole in Texas law to withhold records from deceased soldier’s family
By Vianna Davila ProPublica, co-published with The Texas Tribune Originally published May 9, 2023 Texas public records law allows officials to withhold police records if no one was convicted in a case. At least one city has used this rule to deny the release of suicide records. A new bill aims to close this loophole. When Patty Troyan’s son Logan Castello died by suicide [...]
Transparency legislation makes progress in Texas House of Representatives
By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas May 9, 2023 Transparency proposals supported by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the diverse Texas Sunshine Coalition have progressed in the Texas House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. House Bill 2493 by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, is a searchable-sortable records bill requiring information to be supplied in spreadsheet format [...]