Texas Public Information Act

Clarification sought on release of police body camera videos in Texas

2017-09-20T20:44:46-05:00

By Chuck Lindell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Sept. 19, 2017 Trying to make sense of an emerging area of law, a state senator has asked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to determine whether certain footage from police body cameras could be withheld — not just from the public, but from civilian supervisors of a law enforcement agency as well. Specifically, Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, wanted to know if state open record laws give a police chief or sheriff the discretion to withhold body camera footage if they determine that viewing the video could interfere with the “detection, investigation or prosecution [...]

Clarification sought on release of police body camera videos in Texas2017-09-20T20:44:46-05:00

Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?

2017-08-28T16:04:23-05:00

By Alex Samuels The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 25, 2017 Hey, Texplainer: what social media information is subject to state open records laws? Is there anything off limits when it comes to what citizens can request to see? All social media is subject to state freedom of information laws, but whether you get the information you’ve requested depends on whether the communication is considered official business of a governmental body. According to Joe Larsen, counsel for Sedgwick Law in Houston, official business is any matter over which a governmental body has any authority. “It doesn’t really matter what medium it’s [...]

Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?2017-08-28T16:04:23-05:00

AG: Spring Hill ISD must release scoreboard document it sought to withhold

2017-08-17T14:11:42-05:00

By Meredith Shamburger Longview News-Journal Originally published Aug. 15, 2017 Spring Hill ISD cannot withhold a document it had sought to keep confidential relating to financing for a new scoreboard at its football stadium, the Texas Attorney General's Office has ruled. The district has not said if it plans to release the document or appeal the ruling as allowed under the Texas Public Information Act. "However, there is a legitimate public interest in the essential facts about a financial transaction between an individual and a governmental body," Assistant Attorney General Tim Neal wrote in a letter dated Aug. 7. "Upon review, [...]

AG: Spring Hill ISD must release scoreboard document it sought to withhold2017-08-17T14:11:42-05:00

Texas governor, lieutenant governor won’t say whom they block from public Twitter accounts

2017-08-14T18:41:09-05:00

By Olivia Krauth Austin American-Statesman Originally published Aug. 13, 2017 In June, the American-Statesman sent public records requests to Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, among other Austin- and Texas-based politicians, asking for lists of whom they block from following their public, taxpayer-funded Twitter accounts. The governor, citing public safety concerns, said, no. His fear: Russian hackers. Lawyers for each office said they are asking Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to rule that the information is exempt from required public disclosure. Both argue that divulging the names of the blocked accounts constitute “a computer network vulnerability report.” Abbott and [...]

Texas governor, lieutenant governor won’t say whom they block from public Twitter accounts2017-08-14T18:41:09-05:00

Recycling company sues city of Houston over records

2017-08-02T15:04:20-05:00

By Mike Morris Houston Chronicle Originally published Aug. 1, 2017 A company that claims its innovative technologies can recycle or reuse nearly all household waste is suing the city of Houston, hoping to reveal why its proposal was shunned in favor of a more traditional approach to curbside recycling. EcoHub sued the city Tuesday in state district court, seeking to have a judge compel city leaders to release records its consultants have requested but not received under the Texas Public Information Act. EcoHub CEO George Gitschel had been in contract talks with officials in Mayor Sylvester Turner and former mayor Annise Parker's [...]

Recycling company sues city of Houston over records2017-08-02T15:04:20-05:00

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