Senate passes Free Flow Act

On April 28, the Texas Senate passed HB 670, the Texas Free Flow of Information Act, by a vote of 31-0.

Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston and Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, successfully fended off a negative amendment to the bill by Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, which would have required a disclaimer on stories containing confidential sources. 

Williams eventually pulled his amendment down prior to the final vote.

Ellis and Duncan previously carried a Texas Free Flow of Information Act in the Senate in 2005 and 2007.

The bill now makes one final trip to the House where the lower chamber will be asked to concur in the Senate amendments by a floor vote, which should happen in a matter of days. 

If successful, the bill would then go to Gov. Rick Perry's desk.

The FFOIA legislation would create a qualified privilege for protecting confidential sources and journalist work product.  

Learn more about this bill at www.FreeFlowAct.com.