Texas Senate Bill SB2140

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to requests to inspect or be provided with copies of information under the public information law.

Impact

The bill will specifically amend several sections of the Government Code, particularly regarding the timelines for governmental bodies to respond to information requests. It places a greater emphasis on the responsibility of public offices to manage requests in a timely manner and details the conditions under which an information request is considered officially received. The provisions intended to streamline these processes are expected to foster better governmental transparency and accountability.

Summary

SB2140, introduced by Wentworth, focuses on refining the public information law in Texas. The bill aims to clarify and update the definitions surrounding 'manipulation' of information and the processes related to the inspection and copying of public information. By better defining how information can be modified and the required processes for governmental bodies when responding to information requests, the bill seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of information disclosure.

Contention

While the bill presents a significant advancement towards better handling of public information requests, concerns may arise regarding its implementation and the burden it could place on smaller governmental bodies. Stakeholders are likely to debate whether the changes will indeed simplify processes or if they might inadvertently complicate the existing frameworks, particularly given the presentation of these definitions and timelines. Moreover, ongoing discussions may center around potential impacts on the public's access to information and how it may affect government operations.