Senate Committee on Open Government
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 82nd Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
Rodney Ellis
VICE-CHAIR
Wendy Davis
MEMBERS
Kevin Eltife
Florence Shapiro
Jeff Wentworth
CLERK:
Amanda Kit
TEL:
(512) 463-7733
LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 335
Video/Audio — Archives
Note: This committee transitioned from a Senate Select Committee to a Standing Committee during the 82nd Session interim.
82nd Session Interim
82nd Regular Session
- May 19, 2011 (Part II) — audio only.
- May 19, 2011 (Part I)
- May 12, 2011
- May 5, 2011 (Part II) — audio only.
- May 5, 2011 (Part I)
- April 28, 2011
- April 14, 2011
- April 7, 2011
- March 31, 2011
- March 24, 2011
Written Testimony Submissions and Handouts
November 26, 2012
Submitted Written Testimony
- Bill Aleshire, Riggs Aleshire & Ray
- Maud Beelman, The Dallas Morning News
- Terri Burke, ACLU of Texas
- Angel Cruz, Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR)
- Martha Doty Freeman
- John Furge, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas; Texas Association of CPAs
- The City of Houston (File 1, File 2)
- Shanae Jennings, City Secretary, City of Irving (File 1, File 2)
- Camila W. Kunau, Assistant City Attorney, City of San Antonio
- Joseph Larsen, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
- Peggy Rudd, Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSL) (File 1, File 2)
- Texas Cybersecurity, Education and Economic Development Council
Interim Charges
- Evaluate the need for revisions to the Public Information Act to address changes in the performance of public functions and make recommendations for changes. Specifically, consider the following:
- the use of new technologies and future technological advances as relates to the creation of public information;
- the extent to which the Public Information Act impacts third-party contractors with state and local government;
- the need to codify or clarify existing Attorney General opinions.
- Examine the effectiveness of security measures used to protect electronic information held by state agencies and make recommendations for enhancing security, if needed.
- Review record retention policies for state and local governments and make recommendations for improvements to record retention schedules and policies, including e-mail retention and archiving requirements. Consider the benefits and disadvantages of creating a uniform record retention policy.
- Study ways to define and address frivolous and/or overly-burdensome open records requests. Include an analysis of appropriate cost recovery by governmental entities for expenses and time related to responding to requests, while ensuring the public has adequate access to public information.
- Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Select Committee on Open Government, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.
