88R20800 JON-F
 
  By: Vasut, et al. H.B. No. 613
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the imposition of charges by a governmental body for
  providing copies of public information under the public information
  law.
         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 Subsection (c) 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.
         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, 2023.