2nd Court of Appeals

New Texas laws protect public’s right to know

2015-06-03T16:06:54-05:00

AUSTIN – Texans will gain access to private university police records and more easily observe public meetings because of action this legislative session, while journalists can continue robust reporting on allegations of wrongdoing. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas pressed for these and other transparency measures in the 84th Legislature, which concluded Monday. One highlight was passage of Senate Bill 627, allowing journalists to accurately report on wrongdoing accusations that are not yet part of a government inquiry. It codifies what has been common law in Texas for 25 years and clarifies a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling. This bill [...]

New Texas laws protect public’s right to know2015-06-03T16:06:54-05:00

Open government advocates optimistic about Texas legislative session

2015-05-21T17:18:47-05:00

By Eva-Marie Ayala The Dallas Morning News Originally published May 20, 2015 AUSTIN — Texans are likely to get greater access to campus police records and public meetings online. But after a group secretly taped lawmakers in Austin, some are wary of legislation that could make it harder to record audio without the consent of all recorded. A variety of bills still in play in the final days of the legislative session will affect government transparency, and so far, major legislative efforts are falling on the side of open government. “Until the last day of the session, it’s just too early [...]

Open government advocates optimistic about Texas legislative session2015-05-21T17:18:47-05:00

Lawmakers pass bill making college police records public

2015-05-19T18:38:59-05:00

AUSTIN - The Texas House today passed legislation making private university police records subject to the Texas Public Information Act. Senate Bill 308 by Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, had already passed the Senate and was sponsored in the House by Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston. The open government bill passed on the House Local and Consent Calendar. It now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott.  

Lawmakers pass bill making college police records public2015-05-19T18:38:59-05:00

Legislature approves bill giving journalists ability to report wrongdoing allegations

2015-05-15T19:47:27-05:00

AUSTIN - The Texas House today approved legislation that allows journalists to continue accurately reporting on allegations of wrongdoing in matters of public importance. The legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, and Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, clarifies a recent Texas Supreme Court decision. The measure provides protection under libel law for reporting on third party allegations that shine light on matters such as contracting malfeasance, youth commission abuse and mistreatment of special education students. The bill already won Senate approval. It now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, Texas Press Association, [...]

Legislature approves bill giving journalists ability to report wrongdoing allegations2015-05-15T19:47:27-05:00

AG Ken Paxton sides with UT regent Wallace Hall on access to records

2015-05-12T21:57:04-05:00

By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz Austin American-Statesman Originally published May 12, 2015 Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion Tuesday siding with a University of Texas System regent seeking access to records from an investigation into admissions at the Austin campus. The UT System cannot bar a regent’s access to records unless a state or federal law requires otherwise, Paxton said. Even the federal student privacy law does not allow a university to withhold student records deemed necessary for evaluating a state-supported education program, he said. Regent Wallace L. Hall Jr. sought the opinion after the system’s chancellor, Bill McRaven, refused to [...]

AG Ken Paxton sides with UT regent Wallace Hall on access to records2015-05-12T21:57:04-05:00

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  • Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

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