LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
OPEN GOVERNMENT IMPACT STATEMENT
 
79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 11, 2005

TO:
Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB1812 by Wentworth (Relating to oral requests for public information.), 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 Government Code to expressly allow for oral disclosure requests under the Public Information Act.  The bill requires that the Texas Building and Procurement Commission develop the contents of a form to memorialize such requests.  The bill would take effect immediately if receiving a vote of two-thirds of all members of each house, or September 1, 2005. Because the bill would only potentially increase the public's access to governmental information, no restriction on open government laws is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, VDS, AM