88R4286 MCK-F
 
  By: Goldman H.B. No. 4083
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the availability of certain working papers and
  electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and
  technical examiners under the public information law.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 552.144, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 552.144.  EXCEPTION: WORKING PAPERS AND ELECTRONIC
  COMMUNICATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES AND TECHNICAL
  EXAMINERS AT STATE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS AND RAILROAD
  COMMISSION. The following working papers and electronic
  communications of an administrative law judge at the State Office
  of Administrative Hearings or a technical examiner or
  administrative law judge at the Railroad Commission of Texas are
  excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021:
               (1)  notes and electronic communications recording the
  observations, thoughts, questions, deliberations, or impressions
  of an administrative law judge or a technical examiner;
               (2)  drafts of a proposal for decision;
               (3)  drafts of orders made in connection with
  conducting contested case hearings; and
               (4)  drafts of orders made in connection with
  conducting alternative dispute resolution procedures.
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a request for public information received by a governmental body or
  an officer for public information on or after the effective date of
  this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.