BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4214
89R24479 GP-D	By: Curry (Middleton)
	Business & Commerce
	5/21/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, individuals seeking public records often face difficulties in determining the correct contact information for submitting requests, leading to delays, confusion, and potential noncompliance by governmental entities. H.B. 4214 seeks to address transparency and accessibility of the Texas Public Information Act and ensure a centralized, updated database of governmental contact points for public information requests by requiring each governmental body to annually submit its designated mailing and electronic mail addresses for public information requests to the Office of the Attorney General, and by requiring the attorney general to compile and maintain this information in a publicly accessible online database. 

H.B. 4214 amends current law relating to public access to the mailing address and electronic mail address designated by a governmental body to receive a request for public information under the public information law.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 552.234, Government Code, by adding Subsections (e) and (f), as follows:

(e) Requires each governmental body, not later than October 1 of each year, to notify the attorney general of the current mailing address and electronic mail address designated by the governmental body under Subsection (c) (relating to a governmental body's designated mailing and electronic mail addresses for receiving public information requests) for receiving written requests for public information.

(f) Requires the attorney general to create and maintain on the Office of the Attorney General's Internet website a publicly accessible database of the mailing addresses and electronic mail addresses provided by governmental bodies under Subsection (e).

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.