HB 2330
AN ACT relating to creating a civil cause of action against a governmental
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Allows individuals who request public information to sue governmental entities for violations of public information laws, with potential damages up to $200,000 per violation and the ability to recover attorney's fees. The law waives sovereign and governmental immunity, enabling citizens to take legal action against government bodies that improperly handle or refuse public information requests. The new legal provision will apply to information requests received on or after September 1, 2025.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to creating a civil cause of action against a governmental entity for a violation of the public information law. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 552, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 552.328 to read as follows: Sec. 552.328. CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION. (a) In addition to the other civil actions provided by this subchapter, a requestor may bring a civil action for damages against a governmental body (b) A requestor who prevails in an action brought under this (1) exemplary damages in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for each violation; and (2) reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. (c) Sovereign immunity of this state and governmental immunity of a local entity to suit and from liability is waived to the extent of liability created by this section. SECTION 2. Section 552.328, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a violation of Chapter 552, Government Code, relating to a request for information that is received by a governmental body or an officer for public information on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to creating a civil cause of action against a governmental
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