Texas House Bill HB987

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to certain motor vehicle records excepted from disclosure under the Public Information Act.

Impact

The implementation of HB 987 is expected to affect the manner in which motor vehicle records are disclosed to the public. By allowing for immediate redaction without prior attorney general decision, the bill seeks to protect sensitive personal information contained within vehicle records, which may include aspects related to privacy and safety. The law is designed to apply only to requests received after the effective date of this act, ensuring that requests made prior to this date continue to be governed under the previous laws.

Summary

House Bill 987 amends Section 552.130(c) of the Government Code, relating to certain motor vehicle records that may be excepted from disclosure under the Public Information Act. The bill allows governmental bodies the ability to redact specific information outlined in subsection (a) when disclosing records, eliminating the need for prior approval from the attorney general. This change aims to streamline the process for agencies dealing with public information requests, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding HB 987, particularly concerning the balance between public access to information and individual privacy rights. Advocates for transparency may argue that the bill could limit public access to certain records by allowing for more extensive redaction, while proponents within government bodies often emphasize the necessity of protecting personal data. Therefore, discussions about this bill likely revolve around the potential impacts on transparency versus the importance of safeguarding sensitive information.