All Roll Calls
Yes: 394 • No: 17
TexasHB 431089th Legislature Regular SessionHouse
Relating to a special right of access under the public information law for a member of a governing board.
Sponsored By: Bryan Hughes (Republican), Cody Vasut
Became Law
Charitable & Nonprofit OrganizationsCity Government--GeneralCivil Remedies & LiabilitiesCounty Government--GeneralOpen RecordsState Agencies, Boards & CommissionsATTORNEY GENERAL
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Board members can enforce records access
Beginning September 1, 2025, requesting board members can seek a court order when a covered body fails to follow these rules. Cases against state agencies go to Travis County; cases against other government bodies go to the county where they are located. Cases against nongovernmental entities go to the county of their main Texas office. If the member wins, the court can award reasonable legal fees, expenses, and court costs; payment is not automatic.
Board members face confidentiality safeguards
Beginning September 1, 2025, covered bodies can require board members receiving confidential information to sign a confidentiality agreement. It can require members not to share it, label it confidential, store it securely, and limit copies or notes. Copies and notes stay confidential; sharing with a member does not waive legal confidentiality or future disclosure exceptions. The Texas attorney general decides whether information covered by an agreement is confidential and sets submission procedures and deadlines. The attorney general must issue a written decision within 45 business days after receiving the request and send affected parties copies. Members and covered bodies can appeal to a Travis County district court, as can people claiming affected privacy or ownership interests.
Board members get access with limits
Beginning September 1, 2025, covered Texas board members can promptly inspect or copy their body's public information for free. They must act in their official role; covered members include appointed, designated, or elected leaders, municipal governing members, and county commissioners. The right covers government bodies and certain nongovernmental entities, but excludes the legislature and specified legislative agencies. At the member's request, legally confidential information must be removed for free. Lawyer-client privileged information stays excluded unless that relationship applies to the member; the body must notify members when withholding it. The law leaves access procedures and use of information under other laws unchanged.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Bryan Hughes
Republican • Senate
Cody Vasut
House
Cosponsors
Katrina Pierson
House
Valoree Swanson
House
Steve Toth
House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 112 • No: 13
Senate vote • 5/25/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/25/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 5/14/2025
Record vote
Yes: 134 • No: 4
House vote • 5/13/2025
Record vote
Yes: 126 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Delivery of Government Efficiency
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Business & Commerce
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseFiled without the Governor's signature
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/31/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/31/2025SenateSigned in the House
5/30/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/29/2025HouseHouse concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
5/28/2025SenateText of Senate Amendment(s)
5/28/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/28/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3968)
5/28/2025HouseHouse concurs in Senate amendment(s)
5/28/2025HouseSenate Amendments Analysis distributed
5/25/2025HouseSenate Amendments distributed
5/25/2025HouseSenate passage as amended reported
5/25/2025HouseRecord vote
5/25/2025SenatePassed
5/25/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/25/2025SenateRecord vote
5/25/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
5/25/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/25/2025SenateRead 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
5/25/2025SenateLaid before the Senate
5/25/2025SenatePlaced on local & uncontested calendar
5/25/2025SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
5/20/2025SenateRecommended for local & uncontested calendar
5/20/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
Related Bills
HB 4325, Relating to civil liability for prohibited barratry.
HB 4042, Relating to the applicability of certain safety provisions and regulatory fees administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas to gas distribution pipelines.
HB 3372, Relating to prohibiting certain personal services performed by school district administrators; providing a civil penalty.
HB 2853, Relating to student union building fees at The University of Texas at El Paso.
HB 2518, Relating to the use of installment premium payment plans on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policies.
HB 1056, Relating to the recognition of gold and silver specie as legal tender and the establishment of a transactional currency based on gold and silver; authorizing a fee.