Texas Senate Bill SB375

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/12/11
• Introduced: 1/19/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/21/11
• Refer: 2/23/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/10/11
• Report Pass: 4/12/11
• Refer: 4/26/11
• Report Pass: 5/4/11

Caption

Relating to categories of information presumed to be public under the public information law.

Impact

The proposed changes to the law emphasize government accountability by broadening the scope of information that must be made available to the public. This would likely lead to increased scrutiny of governmental actions and greater public oversight of how governmental bodies operate. By making specific records readily accessible, the bill aims to enhance public trust in governmental operations and practices. The amendments could also encourage citizens to participate more actively in governmental processes, knowing they have access to pertinent information.

Summary

SB375 focuses on the categories of information that are presumed to be public under the Texas public information law. It seeks to amend Section 552.022 of the Government Code, which outlines various types of information that must be disclosed by governmental bodies. Notably, the bill updates the provisions governing the disclosure of governmental records, ensuring that the public has access to certain categories of data while balancing this transparency with the need to protect confidential information in certain contexts.

Contention

There may be concerns regarding the impact of these changes on individual privacy and the operational efficiency of governmental bodies. Some critics might argue that increased transparency could lead to challenges in managing sensitive information, such as personal data or internal deliberations. The balance between ensuring public access to information and protecting confidential details will likely be a focal point of debate as the bill progresses through the legislative process.