BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 458

By: Rodríguez

Government Efficiency & Reform

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that a motor vehicle title or registration issued by an agency of this state or another state or country and held by a governmental body is not subject to mandatory disclosure under Texas public information law. However, each time a request for such a record is made, the governmental body must request a decision from the attorney general determining whether the information must be disclosed.  The parties assert that a governmental body should not be required to seek an open records decision from the attorney general for a request to provide a motor vehicle title or registration issued by an agency of this state or another state or country.  S.B. 458 seeks to except these motor vehicle records from disclosure under state public information law.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 458 amends the Government Code, in a provision authorizing a governmental body to redact certain information from any information the governmental body discloses under state public information law without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general, to include among that information a motor vehicle title or registration issued by an agency of Texas or another state or country. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.