HB675 - Relating to compliance with the public information law by governmental bodies and the imposition of charges for providing copies of public information under that law; providing a civil penalty.

      By: Vasut, et al. H.B. No. 675       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to compliance with the public information law by   governmental bodies and the imposition of charges for providing   copies of public information under that law; providing a civil   penalty.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 552.261, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:           (f)     A governmental body may not impose a charge under this   subchapter for providing a copy of public information if the   information is a report required to be filed with the governmental   body under Subchapter C or D, Chapter 254, Election Code, unless all   of those reports filed with the governmental body during the   preceding three years are available to the public on the   governmental body's Internet website.          SECTION 2.  Section 552.269, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:           (c)     The attorney general may cancel or reduce any charge or   portion of a charge imposed by a governmental body under this   subchapter if the attorney general determines that the governmental   body:                 (1)     has not maintained the requested information in   accordance with standard recordkeeping practices; or                 (2)     failed to comply with this chapter with regard to   the request for public information for which the charge is imposed.           (d)     A governmental body may not knowingly fail to comply   with this chapter with regard to a request for public information   for which a charge is imposed.           (e)     A governmental body that violates Subsection (d) is   liable to the state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed   $1,000 for each violation.           (f)     The attorney general may bring an action to collect a   civil penalty under Subsection (e).          SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   a request for public information received by a governmental body or   officer for public information on or after the effective date of   this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.