Texas House Bill HB543

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the applicability to certain draft grant applications of the exception from disclosure under the public information law for agency memoranda.

Impact

With the proposed changes in HB 543, state agencies and governmental entities will be required to disclose draft grant applications once certain conditions are met, such as the submission of the application or the decision not to submit it. The intent is to ensure that there is public access to the preparatory documents associated with state funding applications, potentially enhancing government accountability. The law will only apply to requests for information received after the effective date of the act, which is set for September 1, 2019.

Summary

House Bill 543 seeks to amend Section 552.111 of the Government Code concerning the disclosure of certain draft grant applications and agency memoranda under the public information law. The bill specifies that the exception from disclosure that usually applies to interagency or intra-agency memoranda will not include draft grant applications that have been prepared by or for state agencies or governmental entities with taxing authority. This change aims to increase transparency regarding the preparation of these applications and the deliberations that take place before they are submitted.

Contention

While the bill aims to promote transparency in government dealings, it may also generate contention among legislators and state officials. Supporters might argue that the transparency is crucial for fostering trust and accountability in the use of public funds. However, opponents may raise concerns about the implications of disclosing draft documents, suggesting that such practices could hinder open discussions within agencies. They might argue that full disclosure could discourage candid communications that are necessary for effective governance and could complicate the grant application process by exposing sensitive internal deliberations.