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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the availability of certain working papers and |
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electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and |
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technical examiners under the public information law. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 552.144, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 552.144. EXCEPTION: WORKING PAPERS AND ELECTRONIC |
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COMMUNICATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES AND TECHNICAL |
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EXAMINERS AT STATE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS AND RAILROAD |
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COMMISSION. The following working papers and electronic |
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communications of an administrative law judge at the State Office |
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of Administrative Hearings or a technical examiner or |
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administrative law judge at the Railroad Commission of Texas are |
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excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021: |
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(1) notes and electronic communications recording the |
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observations, thoughts, questions, deliberations, or impressions |
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of an administrative law judge or a technical examiner; |
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(2) drafts of a proposal for decision; |
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(3) drafts of orders made in connection with |
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conducting contested case hearings; and |
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(4) drafts of orders made in connection with |
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conducting alternative dispute resolution procedures. |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a request for public information received by a governmental body or |
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an officer for public information on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |