| TO: | Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1497 by Van Arsdale (Relating to the consequences of the failure by a person requesting information under the public information law to timely respond to certain written communications from a governmental body.), As Engrossed |
The bill would amend the Government Code to establish that if a governmental entity sends to a requestor a written request for clarification, discussion, or additional information and the requestor does not respond within 60 days, on the 61st day, the request would be considered withdrawn. However, if the requestor provided their physical or mailing address, the request may not be considered withdrawn until the governmental entity sends a written request of additional information by certified mail to that address. The governmental entity would be required to include in its written request for clarification, discussion, or additional information notice about the consequences of not responding within 60 days.
Provisions of the bill would apply only to a request received by a governmental entity on or after the effective date of the bill, which would be September 1, 2007.
| Source Agencies: | 302 Office of the Attorney General
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, DB
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