FOIFT and Texas Attorney General’s Office Present Open Government Seminars in April and May

The Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas are jointly presenting two Open Government briefings in April and May to provide a better understanding of the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act.

FOIFT is also presenting its revamped First Amendment Institute at the workshop, a program specifically designed for journalists that covers media freedoms contained in the Constitution as well as libel law concepts.

The day-long workshops include a legislative update on recent changes to the TPIA and TOMA, as well as an overview on state cost rules for providing public information.  Journalists are encouraged to attend the workshops which will be in Arlington on April 17 and in Houston on May 1.  While most of the workshop sessions and the First Amendment Institute are free, the session covering the Texas Open Meetings Act has a $50 registration fee.

The April 17 Arlington seminar will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Texas at Arlington’s University Center.  The free morning session presented by the Texas Attorney General’s Office will focus on the Texas Public Information Act and its associated cost rules.

A 11:30 a.m. session presented by attorney Tom Williams of TAB Associate member law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP will address the Texas Open Meetings Act.  There is a $50 fee for the Open Meetings Act session.  Light lunch refreshments will be served and a food court is nearby.  FOIFT’s First Amendment Institute session will take place at 1:15 p.m.  Station staff should register asap as seats are limited.

The May 1 Houston seminar will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Harris County Law Library in Houston.

For more details about each event, visit the FOIFT website or contact the FOIFT staff.