Enacted in 1973, the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) grants the public the right to access government records held by public agencies. This empowers individuals to stay informed about the inner workings of their government and hold public officials accountable.
Understanding the TPIA is crucial for anyone involved in local government, especially those responsible for managing meetings and ensuring proper recordkeeping, such as the city treasurer.
Read on for information about the TPIA, including the rights of requesters, the responsibilities of governmental bodies, and how software like eScribe can streamline compliance and enhance transparency.
What Is the Texas Public Information Act?
The Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), formerly known as the Texas Public Records Act, is a law that grants the public the right to access government records held by Texas state and local government bodies. The law was enacted to ensure transparency and accountability.
It allows individuals to request and obtain copies of most records maintained by government agencies, subject to certain exceptions, including certain personal information, ongoing law enforcement investigations, attorney-client privileged communications, and other information.
What Are the Rights of Requesters?
The TPIA empowers individuals with specific rights when making public records requests. According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, government bodies must “treat all requesters equally. Governmental bodies are also required to notify requesters if a ruling request is submitted to the Officer of the Attorney General (OAG). Further, a governmental body is required to release requested information promptly.”
Responsibilities of Governmental Bodies
The TPIA places specific responsibilities on governmental bodies to ensure transparency and efficient handling of public record requests. These responsibilities include:
- Establish and inform requesters about the procedure for public records requests
- Provide reasonable comfort and access to requesters, in accordance with ADA requirements
- Understand open records laws and educate employees on law requirements
- Inform requesters of estimated charges greater than $40, and if the estimate increases by more than 20%
- If information can’t be provided promptly, give requester a date and time estimate
- Request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information the governmental body wishes to withhold, and send a copy of the request for ruling, or a redacted copy, to the requestor
How eScribe Supports Local Governments
Effective management of public information requests can be complex and time-consuming for local governments. However, eScribe’s meeting management software for governments streamlines the process by:
- Centralizing document storage
- Facilitating collaboration
- Enhancing transparency
Read our City of Greensboro case study to see how a leading municipality leverages eScribe to streamline governance and improve transparency.
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