First Open Government-Related Bills Head to Gov. Abbott’s Desk

posted on 5.08.2023

In addition to its efforts to pass a package of Texas Public Information Act reforms, TAB’s Newsroom Legislative Committee is tracking more than 550 bills this session because of their potential impact on newsgathering – some of it good, some of it negative.

At this point in the session, it appears less than a fourth of that number could actually make it all the way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk either in their original form or as an amendment to a germane bill that is still moving.  

Many of the four hundred or so bills that aren’t moving have yet to even have their first committee hearings.

As a result of actions by the Texas House in the past week, however, the first three TAB-tracked Open Government or newsgathering-related bills are now headed to the governor.

• HB 49 by Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Ft. Worth, would make more state regulatory information concerning hospital investigations available to the public. 
• SB 423 by Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, would add Texas military forces to the list of entities that may use drones for a specific purpose under the 2015 Texas drone law. That original law was found unconstitutional by a federal court in Texas as it prevents the use of drones for newsgathering. The State of Texas has appealed the ruling to the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.  
• SB 593 by Sen. Kevin Sparks, R-Midland, requires the Department of Family and Protective Services to undergo third-party audits of the department's operations and rules. These audits must be posted on the agency's website.

Questions?  Contact TAB or call (512) 322-9944.
 

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