Texas Senate Bill SB1907

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 5/2/11
• Refer: 4/18/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/10/11
• Report Pass: 5/2/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/19/11
• Engrossed: 5/10/11
• Voted on by House: 5/23/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Enrolled: 5/23/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to access to certain archaic information.

Impact

The bill would modify existing laws regarding the retention and accessibility of government records, which could lead to significant changes in how historical documents, especially birth and death records, are managed by local governments. By establishing a clear timeline for when specific records become available, SB1907 encourages local authorities to streamline their record-keeping practices and policies, ultimately enhancing the public's ability to engage with historical data and genealogy research.

Summary

SB1907 proposes amendments to the Texas Government Code and other related codes to enhance public access to certain government records that become non-confidential after a set period, specifically 75 years. It stipulates that information that is not confidential but previously excepted from disclosure will be available to the public once it reaches this age, fostering greater transparency in government operations. The bill aims to ensure that citizens have the right to access archaic information that could be of historical significance, once confidentiality restrictions lapse.

Contention

While the bill is primarily aimed at improving access to public information, there may be points of contention regarding the privacy concerns of individuals whose records might become available after 75 years. Critics may argue that there should be longer retention periods for sensitive information, such as medical records, to protect individuals' privacy, even posthumously. Furthermore, the bill's implementation may require local governments to reassess their record retention policies, which could be met with resistance depending on the existing practices.