LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
OPEN GOVERNMENT IMPACT STATEMENT
 
79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 27, 2005

TO:
Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB623 by Hinojosa (Relating to the authorized charges for providing a copy of public information requested under the public information law.), As Introduced

As a result of this bill there will be no significant restriction upon:

(1) the open records law;
(2) the open meetings law;
(3) the access to government information; or
(4) the ability of the citizens of Texas to transact public business.

The bill would amend the Public Information Act to change the time in which a governmental body may request an attorney general opinion on a Subchapter C exception under certain circumstances.  The bill would also consider a public information request withdrawn if a requestor fails to make a deposit or post a bond as required for amounts previously owed to the governmental body by that requestor.  Although the bill makes procedural changes relating to the Public Information Act, no significant restriction of open government laws is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, VDS, AM