Texas House Bill HB2909

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/29/09

Caption

Relating to allowing a governmental body to redact certain personal information under the public information law without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general and the calculation of certain deadlines under the public information law.

Impact

The implications of HB2909 are significant for both governmental operations and the public's right to access information. By allowing governmental bodies to autonomously redact personal information, the bill is designed to expedite responses to public information requests. It reflects a balance between protecting individual privacy and maintaining transparency in governmental operations, as it simplifies the information-sharing process while safeguarding sensitive personal details.

Summary

House Bill 2909 seeks to amend the Texas Government Code to enhance the ability of governmental bodies to redact certain personal information without requiring a decision from the Attorney General. Specifically, the bill amends sections pertaining to various forms of protected information, enabling government officials to redact sensitive details when disclosing public information as outlined in Section 552.021. This change aims to streamline the process for governmental bodies, reducing bureaucratic hurdles while ensuring that personal privacy is maintained.

Contention

While the bill aims to simplify the process of public information management, it may raise concerns about the lack of checks and balances afforded by requiring Attorney General review. Critics might argue that such self-redaction could lead to over-cautiousness in withholding information, potentially obstructing public transparency. Opponents could express concerns that the bill might be misused, allowing governmental bodies to obscure information under the guise of protecting personal privacy, thus infringing on the principle of open governance.