Relating to a governmental body's response to a request for public information.

Stronger protections for Texas records requesters

The law applies only to Texas public-records requests received on or after September 1, 2025. Government offices must give written notice within 10 business days after receiving a request if they have no matching records. If an earlier decision allows or requires withholding records, offices must identify that decision within the same deadline. Offices seeking an attorney general decision must request it and name specific legal exceptions within 10 business days. You can file a written complaint with the attorney general if an office fails to respond as required. Include your original request and any letters or other responses from the office. If the attorney general finds an improper failure, the office cannot charge you to produce the records. Its public information officer or designee must complete open-records training within six months after notice. If the office still seeks to withhold records, it must request an attorney general decision within five business days after notice. It must release the records unless there is a compelling reason to withhold them.