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.
Open government bills moving forward, getting hearings at Texas Capitol
This week Texas legislators were busy hearing bills both good and bad for open government and freedom of information as end-of-session legislative deadlines loom. The House Judiciary and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee approved HB 1766 by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, that allows for continued reporting by the news media on third party allegations of wrongdoing. The Senate, meanwhile, passed its version of the bill, [...]
Texas Senate approves third party allegation reporting bill
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 [...]
Legislators consider bill allowing for reporting on wrongdoing allegations
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. [...]
UPDATE: Many bills before legislative committees this week open, close access to government
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 [...]
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 of third-party allegations. Accurate reporting on such allegations had been protected under Texas common law for 25 years but was [...]
Senators hear testimony on police body cameras
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." [...]