S.C.R. No. 56

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Texas Public Information Act has recently been impacted by court decisions; and

WHEREAS, During the 85th Legislative Session, lawmakers and other stakeholders spent months collaborating on several bills to improve the Act, with many proposals garnering broad support; despite those efforts, significant reforms failed to pass, leaving TPIA still susceptible to a number of loopholes; and

WHEREAS, Government transparency is a vital component of an informed citizenry, and it is incumbent on the State of Texas to ensure that the public have access to information regarding how their government functions in order to promote accountability, openness, and honesty; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives to create a joint interim committee to examine all state open-government laws, including the Texas Public Information Act, for opportunities to improve transparency and accountability; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including its findings and recommendations, to the 86th Texas Legislature before it convenes in January 2019; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be governed by such general rules and policies for joint interim committees as the 85th Legislature may adopt.

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President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 56 was adopted by the Senate on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 56 was adopted by the House on May 28, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor