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.
Bill targets out-of-state public information requests
What happens in Texas stays in Texas. At least it should, according to a controversial bill filed by a state lawmaker. State Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, has filed a proposal that requires government workers to release information sought under the Texas Public Information Act to Texans only. If a request comes in from out of state, the bill lets government workers decide whether they [...]
Positive open government bills emerging at Capitol, too
By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Every legislative session there are attempts to shut off government information to the public, and this year is no exception. But there are also a number of positive open government bills emerging at the Texas Capitol. Throughout the session, we'll highlight some good open government bills in periodic blog posts. Here are a [...]
Out of state, out of luck? Restraint on outside access among open records bills
By Allison Wisk The Dallas Morning News Originally published Feb. 11, 2015 Interest in prioritizing open government may wax and wane in the state Legislature. But as the first month of the legislative session draws to a close, a host of bills offered by lawmakers could impact the reach of the state’s sunshine law, the Texas Public Information Act. Most of those bills seek to carve [...]
Bill would limit Public Information Act use to Texans
By Madlin Mekelburg Houston Chronicle Originally published Feb. 5, 2015 A bill filed Wednesday seeks to limit the scope of the Texas Public Information Act to Texas residents. The legislation, filed by Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, would allow members of a governmental body to decide if they want to deny or comply with open records requests filed by non-Texas residents. Current law stipulates public [...]
Texas House members gearing up for committee work
The Texas Capitol is abuzz today as House members start getting ready for committee work. House Speaker Joe Straus announced committee assignments Wednesday. New committee chairmen are hurriedly getting organized for meetings that will start in the next few days, while committee members are getting better acquainted with one another. The Senate has already commenced with committee meetings. To see the full list of [...]
Lawmakers to wait for study of committee substitute posting proposal
The Texas House, in debating its rules for the legislative session, decided Thursday to wait for the Texas Legislative Council to study a proposal that would require posting most "committee substitutes" to bills 24 hours in advance of a committee hearing. The idea put forth by Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, would give the public notice of a new version of a bill that is [...]