| TO: | Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1068 by Wentworth (Relating to allowing a governmental body to redact certain personal information under the public information law without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general.), As Passed 2nd House |
The bill would amend Sections 552.024, 552.1175, and 552.138 of the Government Code to allow a governmental body to redact certain personal information under the public information law without requesting a decision from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). The bill also would add Section 522.150 to the Government Code to require governmental bodies that withhold or redact information without an OAG opinion to provide certain information to the requestor about the withholding or redacting of the information. The requestor would have the right to request a review and opinion from the OAG before being required to sue for a writ of mandamus or seek a declaratory judgment. The OAG would be required to develop informational handouts and instruction forms.
It is assumed a government entity would experience a minor savings in administrative costs related to not having to seek an opinion from the OAG before redacting portions of requested information related to state employees, peace officers, or family violence shelter personnel. However, there could be costs associated with responding to questions about withheld or redacted information.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, PJK, DB
|