Bill Text: TX HB613 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed

Texas House Bill 613 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating to the imposition of charges by a governmental body for providing copies of public information under the public information law.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 6)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-05 - Referred to Business & Commerce [HB613 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB613-Engrossed.html

	88R20800 JON-F

	By: Vasut, et al.	H.B. No. 613



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the imposition of charges by a governmental body for
	providing copies of public information under the public information
	law.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 552.261, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
	(f) A governmental body may not impose a charge under this
	subchapter for providing a copy of public information if the
	information is a report required to be filed with the governmental
	body under Subchapter C or D, Chapter 254, Election Code, unless all
	of those reports filed with the governmental body during the
	preceding three years are available to the public on the
	governmental body's Internet website.
	SECTION 2. Section 552.269, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c) The attorney general may cancel or reduce any charge or
	portion of a charge imposed by a governmental body under this
	subchapter if the attorney general determines that the governmental
	body:
	(1) has not maintained the requested information in
	accordance with standard recordkeeping practices; or
	(2) failed to comply with this chapter with regard to
	the request for public information for which the charge is imposed.
	SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
	a request for public information received by a governmental body or
	officer for public information on or after the effective date of
	this Act.
	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.