BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1910 By: Bettencourt State Affairs 3/21/2023 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, a number of election offices appear to be using the litigation exception to the Texas Public Information Act to not produce or delay the production of documents that are election records. S.B. 1910 would not allow information related to a general, primary, or special election to be excepted from production under the exception of litigation under the Texas Public Information Act. As proposed, S.B. 1910 amends current law relating to access to certain election records under the public information law. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 552.103, Government Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows: (d) Provides that Section 552.103 (Exception: Litigation or Settlement Negotiations Involving the State or a Political Subdivision) does not except from the requirements of Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information) information related to a general, primary, or special election, as those terms are defined by Section 1.005 (Definitions), Election Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1910
By: Bettencourt
State Affairs
3/21/2023
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1910
By: Bettencourt
State Affairs
3/21/2023
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, a number of election offices appear to be using the litigation exception to the Texas Public Information Act to not produce or delay the production of documents that are election records.
S.B. 1910 would not allow information related to a general, primary, or special election to be excepted from production under the exception of litigation under the Texas Public Information Act.
As proposed, S.B. 1910 amends current law relating to access to certain election records under the public information law.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 552.103, Government Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:
(d) Provides that Section 552.103 (Exception: Litigation or Settlement Negotiations Involving the State or a Political Subdivision) does not except from the requirements of Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information) information related to a general, primary, or special election, as those terms are defined by Section 1.005 (Definitions), Election Code.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.