Procedures for Requesting Information

Procedures to Obtain Information

Submit a request by mail, fax, email, or in person according to a governmental body's reasonable procedures.

Include enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the governmental body to accurately identify and locate the information requested.

Cooperate with the governmental body's reasonable efforts to clarify the type or amount of information requested.

A. Information to be released

• You may review it promptly, and if it cannot be produced within 10 working days the public information officer will notify you in writing of the reasonable date and time when it will be available.
• Keep all appointments to inspect records and to pick up copies. Failure to keep appointments may result in losing the opportunity to inspect the information at the time requested.

Cost of Records

• You must respond to any written estimate of charges within 10 business days of the date the governmental body sent it or the request is considered automatically withdrawn.
• If estimated costs exceed $100.00 (or $50.00 if a governmental body has fewer than 16 full time employees) the governmental body may require a bond, prepayment or deposit.
• You may ask the governmental body to determine whether providing the information primarily benefits the general public, resulting in a waiver or reduction of charges.
• Make a timely payment for all mutually agreed charges. A governmental body can demand payment of overdue balances exceeding $100.00, or obtain a security deposit, before processing additional requests from you.

B. Information that may be withheld due to an exception

• By the 10th business day after a governmental body receives your written request, a governmental body must:

1. request an Attorney General opinion and state which exceptions apply;
2. notify the requestor of the referral to the Attorney General; and
3. notify third parties if the request involves their proprietary information.

• Failure to request an Attorney General opinion and notify the requestor within 10 business days will result in a presumption that the information is open unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it.
• Requestors may send a letter to the Attorney General arguing for release, and may review arguments made by the governmental body. If the arguments disclose the requested information, the requestor may obtain a redacted copy.
• The Attorney General must issue a decision no later than the 45th working day from the day after the attorney general received the request for a decision. The attorney general may request an additional 10 working day extension.
• Governmental bodies may not ask the Attorney General to "reconsider" an opinion.

The Railroad Commission of Texas has designated Karen Sanchez as the recipient of all requests for public information held by the Railroad Commission. Your request will be responded to within 10 business days.

Requests for public information shall be sent in writing to:
Karen Sanchez
Office of General Counsel
Railroad Commission of Texas
P.O. Box 12967, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711-2967

Phone: (512) 463-6947
Fax: (512) 463-6684
Email: open.records@rrc.state.tx.us

For complaints regarding failure to release public information please contact your local County or District Attorney.  Please ask and you will be provided with this information.

You may also contact the Office of the Attorney General, Open Government Hotline, at 512-478-6736 or toll-free at 1-877-673-6839.

For complaints regarding overcharges, please contact the  Office of the Attorney General’s Cost Rules Administrator at 512-475-2497

If you need special accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact our ADA coordinator, Mark Bogan at 512-463-6981.