Title GV, Government Code

Sec. 552.324. SUIT BY GOVERNMENTAL BODY. (a) The only suit a governmental body may file seeking to withhold information from a requestor is a suit that: (1) is filed in a Travis County district court against the attorney general in accordance with Section 552.325; and (2) seeks d…

Sec. 552.325. PARTIES TO SUIT SEEKING TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION. (a) A governmental body, officer for public information, or other person or entity that files a suit seeking to withhold information from a requestor may not file suit against the person requesting the information. Th…

Sec. 552.326. FAILURE TO RAISE EXCEPTIONS BEFORE ATTORNEY GENERAL. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the only exceptions to required disclosure within Subchapter C that a governmental body may raise in a suit filed under this chapter are exceptions that the governmental b…

Sec. 552.327. DISMISSAL OF SUIT DUE TO REQUESTOR'S WITHDRAWAL OR ABANDONMENT OF REQUEST. A court may dismiss a suit challenging a decision of the attorney general brought in accordance with this chapter if: (1) all parties to the suit agree to the dismissal; and (2) the attorney …

Sec. 552.328. FAILURE TO RESPOND TO REQUESTOR. (a) If a governmental body fails to respond to a requestor as required by Section 552.221, the requestor may send a written complaint to the attorney general. (b) The complaint must include: (1) the original request for information; …

Sec. 552.351. DESTRUCTION, REMOVAL, OR ALTERATION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) A person commits an offense if the person wilfully destroys, mutilates, removes without permission as provided by this chapter, or alters public information. (b) An offense under this section is a misdem…

Sec. 552.352. DISTRIBUTION OR MISUSE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. (a) A person commits an offense if the person distributes information considered confidential under the terms of this chapter. (a-1) An officer or employee of a governmental body who obtains access to confidential …

Sec. 552.353. FAILURE OR REFUSAL OF OFFICER FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO OR COPYING OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) An officer for public information, or the officer's agent, commits an offense if, with criminal negligence, the officer or the officer's agent fails or re…

Sec. 552.371. CERTAIN ENTITIES REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CONTRACTING INFORMATION TO GOVERNMENTAL BODY IN CONNECTION WITH REQUEST. (a) This section applies to an entity that is not a governmental body that executes a contract with a governmental body that: (1) has a stated expenditure o…

Sec. 552.372. BIDS AND CONTRACTS. (a) A contract described by Section 552.371 must require a contracting entity to: (1) preserve all contracting information related to the contract as provided by the records retention requirements applicable to the governmental body for the durat…

Sec. 552.373. NONCOMPLIANCE WITH PROVISION OF SUBCHAPTER. A governmental body that is the party to a contract described by Section 552.371 shall provide notice to the entity that is a party to the contract if the entity fails to comply with a requirement of this subchapter applic…

Sec. 552.374. TERMINATION OF CONTRACT FOR NONCOMPLIANCE. (a) Subject to Subsection (c), a governmental body may terminate a contract described by Section 552.371 if: (1) the governmental body provides notice under Section 552.373 to the entity that is party to the contract; (2) t…

Sec. 552.375. OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS. Nothing in this subchapter prevents a governmental body from including and enforcing more stringent requirements in a contract to increase accountability or transparency. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 9, ef…

Sec. 552.376. CAUSE OF ACTION NOT CREATED. This subchapter does not create a cause of action to contest a bid for or the award of a contract with a governmental body. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1216 (S.B. 943), Sec. 9, eff. January 1, 2020. SUBCHAPTER K. SPECIAL RIG…

Sec. 552.401. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Member of a governing board" means any individual who is appointed, designated, or elected to direct or serve on a board or other group of individuals that directs a governmental body or a nongovernmental entity, including a mem…

Sec. 552.402. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter does not apply to the legislature or a legislative agency created by Subtitle C, Title 3. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1045 (H.B. 4310), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 552.403. SPECIAL RIGHT OF ACCESS FOR MEMBER OF GOVERNING BOARD. (a) A member of the governing board of a governmental body or nongovernmental entity may inspect, duplicate, or inspect and duplicate public information maintained by the governmental body or the nongovernmental…

Sec. 552.404. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. (a) A governmental body or a nongovernmental entity that has been requested to provide information under this subchapter may request the member of a governing board who is receiving public information that is confidential under law to sign …

Sec. 552.405. DETERMINATION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. (a) A member of a governing board who has received a request under Section 552.404(a) to sign a confidentiality agreement may seek a decision about whether the information covered by the confidentiality agreement is confidential un…

Sec. 552.406. WRIT OF MANDAMUS. (a) If a governmental body or nongovernmental entity fails or refuses to comply with an applicable requirement of this subchapter, a member of a governing board who made a request under Section 552.403 may file a motion, petition, or other appropri…

Sec. 552.407. INFORMATION OBTAINABLE UNDER OTHER LAW. This subchapter does not affect: (1) the procedures under which information may be obtained under other law; or (2) the use that may be made of information obtained under other law. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 104…

Sec. 553.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Public funds" includes only funds collected by or through a government. (2) "Public servant" means a person who is elected, appointed, employed, or designated, even if not yet qualified for or having assumed the duties of office…

Sec. 553.002. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST IN PROPERTY. (a) A public servant who has a legal or equitable interest in property that is to be acquired with public funds shall file an affidavit within 10 days before the date on which the property is to be acquired by purchase or condemna…

Sec. 553.003. CRIMINAL PENALTY; PRESUMPTION. (a) A person commits an offense if the person violates Section 553.002 and the person has actual notice of the acquisition or intended acquisition of the legal or equitable interest in the property. (b) A person who violates Section 55…

Sec. 553.021. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "public officer" means an officer of the state or of a county, municipality, or school district of the state. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Sec. 553.022. FAILURE TO PUBLISH LEGAL NOTICE OR FINANCIAL STATEMENT; CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A public officer who is required by law to publish a legal notice or financial statement commits nonfeasance of office if the officer fails to make the publication. (b) A public officer who c…

Sec. 553.023. ENFORCEMENT. (a) The county or district attorney of the county in which a public officer who commits nonfeasance of office under Section 553.022 resides may file an action to enjoin or recover payment of salary or to remove the person from office. (b) An action unde…

Sec. 554.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Law" means: (A) a state or federal statute; (B) an ordinance of a local governmental entity; or (C) a rule adopted under a statute or ordinance. (2) "Local governmental entity" means a political subdivision of the state, including …

Sec. 554.002. RETALIATION PROHIBITED FOR REPORTING VIOLATION OF LAW. (a) A state or local governmental entity may not suspend or terminate the employment of, or take other adverse personnel action against, a public employee who in good faith reports a violation of law by the empl…

Sec. 554.003. RELIEF AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. (a) A public employee whose employment is suspended or terminated or who is subjected to an adverse personnel action in violation of Section 554.002 is entitled to sue for: (1) injunctive relief; (2) actual damages; (3) court cos…

Sec. 554.0035. WAIVER OF IMMUNITY. A public employee who alleges a violation of this chapter may sue the employing state or local governmental entity for the relief provided by this chapter. Sovereign immunity is waived and abolished to the extent of liability for the relief allo…

Sec. 554.004. BURDEN OF PROOF; PRESUMPTION; AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE. (a) A public employee who sues under this chapter has the burden of proof, except that if the suspension or termination of, or adverse personnel action against, a public employee occurs not later than the 90th day a…

Sec. 554.005. LIMITATION PERIOD. Except as provided by Section 554.006, a public employee who seeks relief under this chapter must sue not later than the 90th day after the date on which the alleged violation of this chapter: (1) occurred; or (2) was discovered by the employee th…

Sec. 554.006. USE OF GRIEVANCE OR APPEAL PROCEDURES. (a) A public employee must initiate action under the grievance or appeal procedures of the employing state or local governmental entity relating to suspension or termination of employment or adverse personnel action before suin…

Sec. 554.007. WHERE SUIT BROUGHT. (a) A public employee of a state governmental entity may sue under this chapter in a district court of the county in which the cause of action arises or in a district court of Travis County. (b) A public employee of a local governmental entity ma…

Sec. 554.008. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A supervisor who in violation of this chapter suspends or terminates the employment of a public employee or takes an adverse personnel action against the employee is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $15,000. (b) The attorney general or app…

Sec. 554.009. NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES. (a) A state or local governmental entity shall inform its employees of their rights under this chapter by posting a sign in a prominent location in the workplace. (b) The attorney general shall prescribe the design and content of the sign requir…

Sec. 554.010. AUDIT OF STATE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY AFTER SUIT. (a) At the conclusion of a suit that is brought under this chapter against a state governmental entity subject to audit under Section 321.013 and in which the entity is required to pay $10,000 or more under the terms of…

Sec. 555.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter, "state agency," "license," and "contested case" have the meanings assigned by Section 2001.003. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Sec. 555.002. RULES. A state agency may adopt fair and reasonable rules, minimum standards, and limitations that are appropriate for implementing this chapter. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Sec. 555.003. EXCEPTION. This chapter does not apply to files that relate to drivers of motor vehicles and that are maintained by the Department of Public Safety under Subchapter C, Chapter 521, Transportation Code. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 19…

Sec. 555.021. MAINTENANCE AND ACCESSIBILITY OF LICENSE RECORDS. (a) Each state agency that issues a license shall keep in its files records relating to each license holder regulated by the agency. (b) The agency shall maintain the files in a manner that permits public access to: …

Sec. 555.022. REMOVAL OF RECORDS FROM FILE. (a) On removal from a state agency file of information relating to the license status of one or more license holders, the agency shall: (1) describe the content of the removed record; (2) indicate the reason the particular record is not…

Sec. 555.023. AGENCY FILE DIVERSIFICATION PERMITTED. (a) A state agency is not required to discontinue or convert its records management procedures or systems in existence before June 14, 1989, to comply with this chapter. An agency may continue to use those procedures and system…

Sec. 555.051. INFORMATION SHARING AMONG CERTAIN AGENCIES. (a) This section applies only to information held by or for the office of the attorney general, the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the St…

Sec. 556.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Appropriated money" means money appropriated by the legislature through the General Appropriations Act or other law. (2) "State agency" means: (A) a department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the executive branch of …