Increases online public access to criminal proceedings.

Can a clerk just modify a record because someone asks? Reid: "I do think that's what it means. It would have to be someone who fits the definition in 552.114 and would have to be the kind of information that's described there. But if it fits the bill, the this bill would require the clerk to redact at their request. Might be worth having a conversation with the author.

3/15/23 We further reviewed the bill and concluded that the bill did no harm and removed it from our list.

Bill adds a newspaper notice for property owners association.

Committee sub takes that notice away. 

Contains newspaper notice - monitor

Amendments add bracketing, but retain notice.

Current language retains existing 1/4-page notice provisions

This bill would increase access to public information by eliminating some of the privileges that currently allow for withholding. The “basic information” piece would make clear that basic information about an incident (which the press has a right to) is not limited to just arrests and crimes, but would apply to incidents that don’t necessarily result in an arrest. The last section regarding “video” would ensure that audio recordings aren’t subject to the stricter standards for releasing body cams.

Companion is SB 1658 by Chuy Hinojosa

Includes new newspaper notice.

Contains newspaper notice - monitor

Contains newspaper notice - monitor

This bill preserves newspaper notice to establish such a tax. The bill requires an election to conform to Section 775.018, which cross-references Elections Code 4.003, and that section requires newspaper notice. This bill would require more disclosure in the notice, but wouldn’t change the newspaper requirement

Contains newspaper notice - Monitor

Companion HB 3422

Bill contains new public notice language. Watch for amendments.

Adds a public notice - watch for amendments

Companion is SB 746 by Hughes

Adds a newspaper notice. Monitor for amendments

Affects newspaper subscriptions that are on auto-renew. May want to oppose.

Good newspaper notice language introduced. We might consider moving to 2+ if the bill gets a hearing. 

Companion HB 2371

Per Reid Pillifant: HB 220 Tweaks the text of the notice that’s required, but doesn’t alter where notice appears. Worth monitoring

Monitor for possible malignant amendments. Reid: "This bill doesn’t appear to affect how notice is provided. The Tax Code already makes the notices newspaper-optional: (c)  The notice of a public hearing under this section may be delivered by mail to each property owner in the taxing unit, or may be published in a newspaper.  If the notice is published in a newspaper, it may not be in the part of the paper in which legal notices and classified advertisements appear.  If the taxing unit publishes the notice in a newspaper, the taxing unit must also post the notice prominently on the home page of the Internet website of the taxing unit from the date the notice is first published until the public hearing is concluded."

Per Reid Pillifant: HB 2221 just changes the percentage required to approve a tax rate (from a majority to 60 percent). Suggests we monitor. 

Meet with author to amend. Reid's review: There is a notice requirement for these sales in Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 647: The time and place of sale of real estate ... shall be ... published ... three consecutive weeks ...in newspaper. 

This bill gives commissioners courts authority to set rules for online auctions and might pose a threat to public notice. Have author add a provision that this bill does not trump the requirements of Rule 647.

Companion is SB 2067 by Bettencourt

Met with Hernadez Chief of Staff. Bill does not affect public notice.