BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1569 89R13512 TJB-F By: King Business & Commerce 3/13/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT After recent controversies on university campuses, members of the governing boards of higher education institutions have had their private information shared on social media websites. Consequently, dozens of protestors showed up outside the residence of at least one university president on numerous occasions in the spring of 2024 chanting with megaphones, hitting pots and pans on the sidewalk and street, and even trespassing onto private property. Legislation is needed to prevent the public sharing of Texas university officials' home addresses and to ensure the safety and security of these officials and their families. S.B. 1569 expands the list of individuals whose personal information is exempt from public records requests to include: (1) members of governing boards of institutions of higher education; (2) chancellors and chief executive officers of university systems; and (3) presidents and chief executive officers of public and private universities. Personal information includes the individual's home address, phone number, emergency contact information, Social Security number, and family member details. S.B. 1569 protects higher education leaders from harassment and threats by extending them the same protections that are already offered to law enforcement officers, judges, and other public officials. As proposed, S.B. 1569 amends current law relating to the availability of certain personal information of a member of the governing board of an institution of higher education, the chief executive officer of the institution, or the chief executive officer of a university system. 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 552.117(a), Government Code, as follows: (a) Provides that information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information) if it is information that relates to the home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or social security number of the following person or that reveals whether the person has family members: (1)-(17) makes no changes to these subdivisions; (18)-(19) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; (20) a member of the governing board of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code; (21) the chancellor or other chief executive officer of a university system, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; or (22) the president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. SECTION 2. Amends Section 552.1175(a), Government Code, as follows: (a) Provides that Section 552.1175 (Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Personal Identifying Information of Peace Officers and Other Officials Performing Sensitive Governmental Functions) applies only to: (1)-(17) makes no changes to these subdivisions; (18)-(19) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; (20) member of the governing board of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; (21) the chancellor or other chief executive officer of a university system, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and (22) the president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. SECTION 3. Reenacts and amends Section 25.025(a), Tax Code, by amending Chapters 76 (S.B. 617), 152 (S.B. 870), 430 (H.B. 1911), 765 (H.B. 4504), and 937 (S.B. 1525), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, as follows: (a) Provides that Section 25.025 (Confidentiality of Certain Home Address Information) applies only to: (1)-(26) makes no changes to these subdivisions; (27)-(29) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; (30) a member of the governing board of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; (31) the chancellor or other chief executive officer of a university system, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and (32) the president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. Deletes text of existing Subdivision (27) providing that this section applies to a current or former attorney for the Department of Family and Protective Services. SECTION 4. Provides that, to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes. SECTION 5. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1569
89R13512 TJB-F By: King
Business & Commerce
3/13/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1569
89R13512 TJB-F
By: King
Business & Commerce
3/13/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
After recent controversies on university campuses, members of the governing boards of higher education institutions have had their private information shared on social media websites. Consequently, dozens of protestors showed up outside the residence of at least one university president on numerous occasions in the spring of 2024 chanting with megaphones, hitting pots and pans on the sidewalk and street, and even trespassing onto private property.
Legislation is needed to prevent the public sharing of Texas university officials' home addresses and to ensure the safety and security of these officials and their families.
S.B. 1569 expands the list of individuals whose personal information is exempt from public records requests to include:
(1) members of governing boards of institutions of higher education;
(2) chancellors and chief executive officers of university systems; and
(3) presidents and chief executive officers of public and private universities. Personal information includes the individual's home address, phone number, emergency contact information, Social Security number, and family member details.
S.B. 1569 protects higher education leaders from harassment and threats by extending them the same protections that are already offered to law enforcement officers, judges, and other public officials.
As proposed, S.B. 1569 amends current law relating to the availability of certain personal information of a member of the governing board of an institution of higher education, the chief executive officer of the institution, or the chief executive officer of a university system.
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 552.117(a), Government Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that information is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information) if it is information that relates to the home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or social security number of the following person or that reveals whether the person has family members:
(1)-(17) makes no changes to these subdivisions;
(18)-(19) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions;
(20) a member of the governing board of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code;
(21) the chancellor or other chief executive officer of a university system, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; or
(22) the president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 552.1175(a), Government Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that Section 552.1175 (Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Personal Identifying Information of Peace Officers and Other Officials Performing Sensitive Governmental Functions) applies only to:
(1)-(17) makes no changes to these subdivisions;
(18)-(19) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions;
(20) member of the governing board of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;
(21) the chancellor or other chief executive officer of a university system, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and
(22) the president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
SECTION 3. Reenacts and amends Section 25.025(a), Tax Code, by amending Chapters 76 (S.B. 617), 152 (S.B. 870), 430 (H.B. 1911), 765 (H.B. 4504), and 937 (S.B. 1525), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, as follows:
(a) Provides that Section 25.025 (Confidentiality of Certain Home Address Information) applies only to:
(1)-(26) makes no changes to these subdivisions;
(27)-(29) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions;
(30) a member of the governing board of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;
(31) the chancellor or other chief executive officer of a university system, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and
(32) the president or other chief executive officer of an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Deletes text of existing Subdivision (27) providing that this section applies to a current or former attorney for the Department of Family and Protective Services.
SECTION 4. Provides that, to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes.
SECTION 5. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2025.