Amendments to the
Public Information Act:
2009 Texas Legislative Session.
The 2009 Texas Legislative Session resulted in a number of amendments to the Public Information Act (the "Act"), chapter 552 of the Government Code. To help familiarize governmental bodies and members of the public with these changes, we are providing the following list of the amended provisions of the Act, with links to the relevant bills in the Texas Legislature Online. Please note in particular that some of these amendments are effective immediately, some take effect on September 1, 2009, and some are only applicable to requests received by a governmental body on or after September 1, 2009. For recent amendments to other relevant laws, such as article 38.02 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and section 261.201 of the Family Code, please check the Texas Legislature Online.
| Amended section of the Act | Relevant Bill | Date Effective | Summary |
| 552.008 | SB 671 § 1 | 9/1/10 | Addresses confidentiality of information requested by member of the legislature. |
| 552.008 | SB 1182 § 2 | 9/1/10 | See previous note. |
| 552.009 | SB 1182 § 3 | 9/1/09 | Amends heading. |
| 552.0221 | SB 1071 § 1 | Immediately | New section addresses public employee pension systems. |
| 552.024 | SB 1068 § 1 | Immediately | Allows governmental body to withhold information without a ruling. |
| 552.1175 | SB 390 § 2 | 9/1/09 | Extends protection to certain federal agents. |
| 552.1175 | SB 1068 § 2 | Immediately | Allows governmental body to withhold certain information without a ruling. |
| 552.137 | HB 3544 § 7 | 9/1/09 | Amends § 552.137(c). |
| 552.138 | SB 1068 § 3 | Immediately | Allows governmental body to withhold certain information without a ruling. |
| 552.139 | HB 1830 § 4 | 9/1/09 | Amends § 552.139 generally. |
| 552.148 | HB 2941 §1 | Immediately | Amends § 552.148 generally. |
| 552.148 | SB 1813 § 1 | Immediately | Limits applicability to comparable sales data for certain counties. |
| 552.148 | SB 1969 § 27.001(39) | 9/1/09 | Former § 552.148, which concerns certain real property information, is renumbered as § 552.149. |
| 552.149 | SB 1969 § 27.001(39) | 9/1/09 | See previous note. |
| 552.150 | SB 1182 § 4 | 9/1/09 | New section protects employees of hospital districts. |
| 552.151 | SB 1182 § 5 | 9/1/09 | New section addresses select agents. |
| 552.151 | SB 1068 § 4 | Immediately | New section addresses information that, if released, would subject employees of governmental bodies to substantial threat of physical harm. |
| 552.228 | HB 3544 § 8 | 9/1/09 | Amends provision about providing paper copies when information exists in an electronic medium. |
| 552.263 | SB 1182 § 6 | 9/1/09 | Clarifies that estimate with bond must comply with Gov't Code § 552.2615. |
| 552.274 | SB 1182 § 7 | 9/1/09 | Reenacts § 552.274. |
| 552.275 | SB 1629 | 9/1/09 | Amends § 552.275(j) |
| 552.301 (e-1) | SB 1182 § 8 | 9/1/09 | Adds 15 business day deadline to submit certain information to requestor. |
| 552.323 | SB 1182 § 9 | 9/1/09 | Amends provision for litigation that involves open record letter rulings. |
| 552.324 | SB 1182 § 10 | 9/1/09 | See previous note. |
| 552.325 | SB 1182 § 11 | 9/1/09 | See previous note. |
| 552.353 | SB 1182 § 12 | 9/1/09 | Amends affirmative defense for a governmental body. |