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Relating to the authority of a governmental body impacted by a catastrophe to temporarily suspend the requirements of the public information law.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 3627 would a prohibit a governmental body from claiming a catastrophe notice and suspending the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) unless the incident significantly impacts a governmental body and directly causes the inability of a governmental body to comply with requirements of the act. A scenario wherein the employees of the governmental body are required to work remotely but can access relevant records and materials electronically would not be considered a catastrophe under this bill.
The bill would also would also allow a catastrophe notice to suspend TPIA provisions once per catastrophe, with an optional one-time extension.
Texas Action supports HB 3627 because it affirms the limited government principle. Transparency is an important facet of our government and this bill would strengthen transparency by preventing governmental bodies from using Covid-19, future pandemics, or other potential scenarios which don't directly prevent the body from accommodating TPIA requests as justification for suspending TPIA rules.
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