Texas Statutes GuidePresented by the Law Offices of Jesus R. Lopez

All codes › Government Code › Title 5

Chapter 552

Public Information

Subchapter A. General Provisions

552.001 Policy; Construction 552.002 Definition of Public Information; Media Containing Public Information 552.003 Definitions 552.0031 Business Days 552.0035 Access to Information of Judiciary 552.0036 Certain Property Owners' Associations Subject to Law 552.0038 Public Retirement Systems Subject to Law 552.004 Preservation of Information 552.005 Effect of Chapter on Scope of Civil Discovery 552.0055 Subpoena Duces Tecum or Discovery Request 552.006 Effect of Chapter on Withholding Public Information 552.007 Voluntary Disclosure of Certain Information When Disclosure Not Required 552.008 Information for Legislative Purposes 552.009 Open Records Steering Committee: Advice to Attorney General; Electronic Availability of Public Information 552.010 State Governmental Bodies: Fiscal and Other Information Relating to Making Information Accessible 552.011 Uniformity 552.012 Open Records Training

Subchapter B. Right of Access to Public Information

552.021 Availability of Public Information 552.0215 Right of Access to Certain Information After 75 Years 552.022 Categories of Public Information; Examples 552.0221 Employee or Trustee of Public Employee Pension System 552.0222 Disclosure of Contracting Information 552.0225 Right of Access to Investment Information 552.023 Special Right of Access to Confidential Information 552.024 Electing to Disclose Address and Telephone Number 552.025 Tax Rulings and Opinions 552.026 Education Records 552.027 Exception: Information Available Commercially; Resource Material 552.028 Request for Information from Incarcerated Individual 552.029 Right of Access to Certain Information Relating to Inmate of Department of Criminal Justice

Subchapter C. Information Excepted from Required Disclosure

552.101 Exception: Confidential Information 552.102 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Personnel Information 552.103 Exception: Litigation or Settlement Negotiations Involving the State or a Political Subdivision 552.104 Exception: Information Related to Competition or Bidding 552.105 Exception: Information Related to Location or Price of Property 552.106 Exception: Certain Legislative Documents 552.107 Exception: Certain Legal Matters 552.108 Exception: Certain Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Prosecutorial Information 552.1081 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Information Regarding Execution of Convict 552.1085 Confidentiality of Sensitive Crime Scene Image 552.109 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Private Communications of an Elected Office Holder 552.110 Exception: Confidentiality of Trade Secrets; Confidentiality of Certain Commercial or Financial Information 552.1101 Exception: Confidentiality of Proprietary Information 552.111 Exception: Agency Memoranda 552.112 Exception: Certain Information Relating to Regulation of Financial Institutions or Securities 552.113 Exception: Confidentiality of Geological or Geophysical Information 552.114 Exception: Confidentiality of Student Records 552.115 Exception: Confidentiality of Birth and Death Records 552.116 Exception: Audit Working Papers 552.117 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Addresses, Telephone Numbers, Social Security Numbers, and Personal Family Information 552.1175 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Personal Identifying Information of Peace Officers and Other Officials Performing Sensitive Governmental Functions 552.1176 Confidentiality of Certain Information Maintained by State Bar 552.11765 Confidentiality of Certain Information Maintained by State Licensing Authority 552.1177 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Information Related to Humane Disposition of Animal 552.118 Exception: Confidentiality of Official Prescription Program Information 552.119 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Photographs of Peace Officers 552.120 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Rare Books and Original Manuscripts 552.121 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Documents Held for Historical Research 552.122 Exception: Test Items 552.123 Exception: Confidentiality of Name of Applicant for Chief Executive Officer of Institution of Higher Education 552.1235 Exception: Confidentiality of Identity of Private Donor to Institution of Higher Education 552.124 Exception: Confidentiality of Records of Library or Library System 552.125 Exception: Certain Audits 552.126 Exception: Confidentiality of Name of Applicant for Superintendent of Public School District 552.127 Exception: Confidentiality of Personal Information Relating to Participants in Neighborhood Crime Watch Organization 552.128 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Information Submitted by Potential Vendor or Contractor 552.129 Confidentiality of Certain Motor Vehicle Inspection Information 552.130 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Motor Vehicle Records 552.131 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Economic Development Information 552.1315 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Crime Victim Records 552.132 Confidentiality of Crime Victim or Claimant Information 552.1325 Crime Victim Impact Statement: Certain Information Confidential 552.133 Exception: Confidentiality of Public Power Utility Competitive Matters 552.1331 Exception: Certain Government-Operated Utility Customer Information 552.134 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Information Relating to Inmate of Department of Criminal Justice 552.1345 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Information Relating to Civilly Committed Sexually Violent Predators 552.135 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Information Held by School District 552.136 Confidentiality of Credit Card, Debit Card, Charge Card, and Access Device Numbers 552.137 Confidentiality of Certain E-Mail Addresses 552.138 Exception: Confidentiality of Family Violence Shelter Center, Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center, and Sexual Assault Program Information 552.139 Exception: Confidentiality of Government Information Related to Security or Infrastructure Issues for Computers 552.1391 Exception: Confidentiality of Cybersecurity Measures 552.140 Exception: Confidentiality of Military Discharge Records 552.141 Confidentiality of Information in Application for Marriage License 552.142 Exception: Confidentiality of Records Subject to Order of Nondisclosure 552.1425 Civil Penalty: Dissemination of Certain Criminal History Information 552.143 Confidentiality of Certain Investment Information 552.144 Exception: Working Papers and Electronic Communications of Administrative Law Judges and Technical Examiners at State Office of Administrative Hearings and Railroad Commission 552.145 Exception: Confidentiality of Texas No-Call List 552.146 Exception: Certain Communications with Assistant or Employee of Legislative Budget Board 552.147 Social Security Numbers 552.148 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Personal Information Maintained by Municipality Pertaining to a Minor 552.149 Exception: Confidentiality of Records of Comptroller or Appraisal District Received from Private Entity 552.150 Exception: Confidentiality of Information That Could Compromise Safety of Officer or Employee of Hospital District 552.151 Exception: Confidentiality of Information Regarding Select Agents 552.152 Exception: Confidentiality of Information Concerning Public Employee or Officer Personal Safety 552.153 Proprietary Records and Trade Secrets Involved in Certain Partnerships 552.154 Exception: Name of Applicant for Executive Director, Chief Investment Officer, or Chief Audit Executive of Teacher Retirement System of Texas 552.155 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Property Tax Appraisal Photographs 552.156 Exception: Confidentiality of Continuity of Operations Plan 552.158 Exception: Confidentiality of Personal Information Regarding Applicant for Appointment by Governor 552.159 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Work Schedules 552.160 Confidentiality of Personal Information of Applicant for Disaster Recovery Funds 552.161 Exception: Certain Personal Information Obtained by Flood Control District 552.162 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Information Provided by Out-of-State Health Care Provider 552.163 Exception: Confidentiality of Certain Attorney General Settlement Negotiations 552.164 Exception: Confidentiality of Information Regarding Fraud Detection and Deterrence Measures

Subchapter D. Officer for Public Information

552.201 Identity of Officer for Public Information 552.202 Department Heads 552.203 General Duties of Officer for Public Information 552.204 Scope of Responsibility of Officer for Public Information 552.205 Informing Public of Basic Rights and Responsibilities under This Chapter

Subchapter E. Procedures Related to Access

552.221 Application for Public Information; Production of Public Information 552.2211 Production of Public Information When Administrative Offices Closed 552.222 Permissible Inquiry by Governmental Body to Requestor 552.223 Uniform Treatment of Requests for Information 552.224 Comfort and Facility 552.225 Time for Examination 552.226 Removal of Original Record 552.227 Research of State Library Holdings Not Required 552.228 Providing Suitable Copy of Public Information Within Reasonable Time 552.229 Consent to Release Information under Special Right of Access 552.230 Rules of Procedure for Inspection and Copying of Public Information 552.231 Responding to Requests for Information That Require Programming or Manipulation of Data 552.232 Responding to Repetitious or Redundant Requests 552.2325 Temporary Suspension of Requirements for Governmental Body Impacted by Catastrophe 552.233 Ownership of Public Information 552.234 Method of Making Written Request for Public Information 552.235 Public Information Request Form

Subchapter F. Charges for Providing Copies of Public Information

552.261 Charge for Providing Copies of Public Information 552.2615 Required Itemized Estimate of Charges 552.262 Rules of the Attorney General 552.263 Bond for Payment of Costs or Cash Prepayment for Preparation of Copy of Public Information 552.264 Copy of Public Information Requested by Member of Legislature 552.265 Charge for Paper Copy Provided by District or County Clerk 552.266 Charge for Copy of Public Information Provided by Municipal Court Clerk 552.2661 Charge for Copy of Public Information Provided by School District 552.267 Waiver or Reduction of Charge for Providing Copy of Public Information 552.268 Efficient Use of Public Resources 552.269 Overcharge or Overpayment for Copy of Public Information 552.270 Charge for Government Publication 552.271 Inspection of Public Information in Paper Record If Copy Not Requested 552.272 Inspection of Electronic Record If Copy Not Requested 552.274 Report by Attorney General on Cost of Copies 552.275 Requests That Require Large Amounts of Employee or Personnel Time

Subchapter G. Attorney General Decisions

552.301 Request for Attorney General Decision 552.302 Failure to Make Timely Request for Attorney General Decision; Presumption That Information Is Public 552.303 Delivery of Requested Information to Attorney General; Disclosure of Requested Information; Attorney General Request for Submission of Additional Information 552.3031 Electronic Submission of Request for Attorney General Decision 552.3035 Disclosure of Requested Information by Attorney General 552.304 Submission of Public Comments 552.305 Information Involving Privacy or Property Interests of Third Party 552.306 Rendition of Attorney General Decision; Issuance of Written Opinion 552.307 Special Right of Access; Attorney General Decisions 552.308 Timeliness of Action by United States Mail, Interagency Mail, or Common or Contract Carrier 552.309 Timeliness of Action by Electronic Submission 552.310 Searchable Database

Subchapter H. Civil Enforcement; Complaint

552.321 Suit for Writ of Mandamus 552.3215 Declaratory Judgment or Injunctive Relief 552.322 Discovery of Information under Protective Order Pending Final Determination 552.3221 In Camera Inspection of Information 552.323 Assessment of Costs of Litigation and Reasonable Attorney Fees 552.324 Suit by Governmental Body 552.325 Parties to Suit Seeking to Withhold Information 552.326 Failure to Raise Exceptions Before Attorney General 552.327 Dismissal of Suit Due to Requestor's Withdrawal or Abandonment of Request 552.328 Failure to Respond to Requestor

Subchapter I. Criminal Violations

552.351 Destruction, Removal, or Alteration of Public Information 552.352 Distribution or Misuse of Confidential Information 552.353 Failure or Refusal of Officer for Public Information to Provide Access to or Copying of Public Information

Subchapter J. Additional Provisions Related to Contracting Information

552.371 Certain Entities Required to Provide Contracting Information to Governmental Body in Connection with Request 552.372 Bids and Contracts 552.373 Noncompliance with Provision of Subchapter 552.374 Termination of Contract for Noncompliance 552.375 Other Contract Provisions 552.376 Cause of Action Not Created

Subchapter K. Special Right of Access by Member of Governing Board

552.401 Definitions 552.402 Applicability 552.403 Special Right of Access for Member of Governing Board 552.404 Confidential Information 552.405 Determination by Attorney General 552.406 Writ of Mandamus 552.407 Information Obtainable under Other Law