89R3587 GP-F     By: Canales H.B. No. 4990       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to compliance with the public information law, including   establishment of an open records hotline to provide information   about the requirements of the public information law.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 552, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 552.013 to read as follows:          Sec. 552.013.  OPEN RECORDS HOTLINE. The attorney general   shall operate an open records hotline that a member of the public or   an employee or officer of a governmental body may access by calling   a toll-free telephone number to ask any question regarding the   requirements of this chapter, including the proper procedure to   request information from a governmental body and for a governing   body to comply with this chapter. The attorney general shall   respond to the caller's questions as the attorney general considers   appropriate to promote compliance with this chapter.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 552, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 552.236 to read as follows:          Sec. 552.236.  COMPLAINT OF FAILURE TO PRODUCE INFORMATION.   (a) A person who has requested public information from a   governmental body under this chapter and believes that the   governmental body has failed to provide the information in   compliance with this chapter may file a written complaint with the   attorney general.          (b)  A person filing a complaint under this section must   include with the complaint:                (1)  the original request for information that is the   subject of the complaint;                (2)  any correspondence received from the governmental   body that is the subject of the complaint in response to the   request; and                (3)  a statement setting forth how the complainant   believes that the governmental body has failed to comply with the   requirements of this chapter.          (c)  The attorney general may submit written questions   regarding the complaint to the governmental body that is the   subject of the complaint. The governmental body shall respond in   writing to the questions not later than the fifth business day after   the date the questions are received by the governmental body.          (d)  The attorney general shall review each complaint filed   under this section and issue a written response to both the   complainant and the governmental body that is the subject of the   complaint not later than the 20th business day after the date the   complaint is filed with the attorney general.          SECTION 3.  Section 552.269(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A person who believes the person has been overcharged   for being provided with a copy of public information may complain to   the attorney general in writing of the alleged overcharge, setting   forth the reasons why the person believes the charges are   excessive. The attorney general shall review the complaint and   make a determination in writing not later than the 10th business day   after the date the complaint is received by the attorney general as   to the appropriate charge for providing the copy of the requested   information. The governmental body shall respond to the attorney   general to any written questions asked of the governmental body by   the attorney general regarding the charges for providing the copy   of the public information. The response must be made to the   attorney general not later than the fifth [within 10] business day   [days] after the date the questions are received by the   governmental body. If the attorney general determines that a   governmental body has overcharged for providing the copy of   requested public information, the governmental body shall promptly   adjust its charges in accordance with the determination of the   attorney general.          SECTION 4.  Section 552.269(a), Government Code, as amended   by this Act, applies only to a complaint made to the office of the   attorney general under that subsection on or after the effective   date of this Act.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.