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.
Another example of a Texas public entity avoiding the Public Information Act by claiming ‘skeleton crew’
This tweet by reporter Dave Hendricks about IDEA Public Schools is yet another example of abuse of the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas attorney general's "skeleton crew" guidance. The school system should have responded to records requests even though they were working remotely during COVID-19 over the past year. Most records are available electronically these days. Additionally, the Freedom of Information Foundation [...]
Legislative Update: 2021 session
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers approved two key transparency measures this session to ensure greater access to public records after some governments closed off information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Greg Abbott signed both bills in the final days of the legislative session. The laws take effect Sept. 1. Senate Bill 930 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, guarantees the public’s right to [...]
Governor signs nursing home transparency bill after COVID-19 outbreak left many in the dark
The public will gain access to information on COVID-19 and other communicable disease outbreaks in Texas nursing homes and assisted living centers under a bipartisan transparency bill Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law May 24. Senate Bill 930 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini and co-author Sen. Lois Kolkhorst came about after nursing home residents and their loved ones were unable to obtain information on coronavirus [...]
Transparency bills on the move in Texas Legislature
By Kelley Shannon Transparency bills are moving forward in the Texas Legislature with bipartisan support to promote open government and correct public information access problems that arose amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With about five weeks left in the legislative session, here’s a status report on bills backed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, the Texas Press Association, the Texas Association of Broadcasters [...]
Texas House committee approves two major open government bills
The Texas House State Affairs Committee unanimously approved two bills Wednesday addressing governments that quit responding to Texas Public Information Acts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel approved House Bill 1416 by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, specifying which days are to be counted as business days for purposes of the Public Information Act. Currently, the law doesn't define TPIA business days. Many governments, citing [...]
Sunshine Week: Public’s right to know should be front and center, especially now, in Texas
By Kelley Shannon With state lawmakers immersed in the COVID-19 pandemic response and Texas’ electricity failures, the public’s access to information must be at the forefront of the Legislature’s actions. Information allows citizens to watch over their government, to speak out and to ask questions. There’s no better time than Sunshine Week, starting March 14, to emphasize the importance of the people’s right to [...]