Texas Public Information Act

Response Timeline

Business days. Agency must 'promptly' produce records or request an Attorney General ruling within 10 business days. If requesting AG ruling, agency has additional time while ruling is pending (typically 45 business days for AG decision).

Any person may request records. No residency, citizenship, or purpose requirement. Cannot be required to provide ID unless necessary to establish right to information (e.g., records about yourself).

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

• Email
• Mail
• Fax
• In person
• Portal

Requests should be in writing and directed to the governmental body's public information officer. Many agencies have designated email addresses or online portals. Verbal requests are not recommended as they may not trigger statutory deadlines.

Email or portal?

The agency must accept a written request sent by ordinary means, including email, and may not reject it solely because it did not come through an online portal.

The Texas Public Information Act requires a written request, but Government Code 552.234 expressly provides that a written request may be submitted by United States mail, electronic mail, hand delivery, or another appropriate method approved by the governmental body (including facsimile or submission through the body's website). A governmental body may designate one mailing address and one electronic mail address for receiving requests, but it cannot eliminate email as a channel. Because email is a statutorily enumerated method of submission, a governmental body may not compel requesters to use an online portal to the exclusion of email.

• Tex. Gov't Code 552.234

No controlling case law identified on the submission-channel question; the verdict rests on the plain text of Section 552.234, which enumerates electronic mail as a permitted method of submitting a written request.

Texas agencies frequently offer web forms, but the Attorney General's Public Information Act guidance and Section 552.234 keep email a protected submission channel; a body may designate a specific email address but must still receive requests there.

Last reviewed 2026-07-18.

Required Elements

• Description — Describe the information requested with reasonable specificity
• Contact info — Provide name and address (physical or email) for response

Optional Elements

• Preferred format — Request electronic format if preferred
• Statement of purpose — May help narrow request but NOT required - agencies cannot demand purpose

Fees

Fee Type	Amount	Notes
Search (hourly)	USD15.00
Copies (per page)	USD1.00

Texas allows charges for personnel time (after first 15 minutes free), unlike California. However, agencies must provide an itemized estimate if charges exceed $40. You can narrow your request to reduce costs.

Fee Waivers

• Requesters who cannot afford to pay may request waiver or reduction of fees — Indigency Waiver
• Agencies may waive fees when disclosure primarily benefits the general public — Public Interest Waiver
• Some agencies waive or reduce fees for media requests as a matter of policy — Media Requests

Unlike federal FOIA, Texas does not have mandatory fee waiver categories. Waivers are generally discretionary. However, you can request a waiver based on inability to pay or public interest, and should ask about the agency's fee waiver policy.

Exemptions

• Confidential by Law
  Information confidential by law (constitutional, statutory, or judicial decision)
• Personnel Information
  Information in personnel file, if disclosure would constitute clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy
• Litigation Information
  Information relating to litigation involving the governmental body
• Competitive Bidding
  Information that would give advantage to competitor or bidder
• Agency Memoranda
  Internal communications relating to policy-making (deliberative process)
• Draft Documents
  Drafts or working papers in preparation of intra-agency or inter-agency work
• Attorney-Client Privilege
  Privileged communications between attorney and client
• Law Enforcement Information
  Information relating to detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
• Trade Secrets
  Trade secrets and commercial or financial information
• Agency Deliberations
  Interagency or intraagency advisory opinions
• Personal Information
  Home addresses, phone numbers, SSNs of current/former employees and officials
• Motor Vehicle Records
  Personal information from motor vehicle records
• Credit Card Numbers
  Credit card, debit card, and charge card numbers

Texas has many specific exemptions. Unlike some states, agencies must request an Attorney General ruling if they want to withhold information, unless the exception is well-established. The AG ruling provides an independent check on withholding claims.

Appeal Process

Texas has a unique system where the Attorney General provides binding rulings on withholding requests. This gives requesters free administrative review without needing to go to court. Agencies that withhold without AG approval (except for well-established exceptions) can face penalties.

Request Templates

Records Retention

Tex. Gov't Code 441.158-441.204

View retention law →

Retention schedule catalog →

TSLAC's State and Local Records Management Division issues the Texas State Records Retention Schedule (RRS), adopted as administrative rule. All state agencies must submit complete retention schedules to TSLAC. If a federal or state statute specifies a longer retention period, it overrides the RRS.

Sources & References

• Full text of law →
• Primary source →
• RCFP Open Government Guide — Texas →
• NFOIC State FOI Resources →

Bodies Covered

Which kinds of public body this law applies to, with the statutory basis for each claim.

Body type	Status	Statutory basis
Agencies and statutory bodies	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Charter schools	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body') Open-enrollment charter holders are governmental bodies for TPIA purposes (Tex. Educ. Code § 12.1051).
Cities	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Community college districts	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Conservation district	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body') Water districts are special districts under § 552.003(1)(A)(viii); ch. 67 nonprofit water supply corporations are separately included ((ix)).
County	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body') The commissioners court is the governmental body; each elected county officer is separately the officer for public information for that office's records (§ 552.201(b)).
Elected county office	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body') Elected officer is custodian of that office's records (§ 552.201(b)).
Fire district	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Hospital authority	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Housing authority	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Joint powers authorities	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Park district	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Police departments	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body') Department of its parent municipality. Law-enforcement exception: § 552.108.
Port authority	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
School districts	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Sheriff	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body') Sheriff is an elected county officer (§ 552.201(b)). Law-enforcement exception: § 552.108.
Special districts	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Towns	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Transit authority	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Village	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body')
Courts	Partially covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(B) ('governmental body' does not include the judiciary); access governed by Rule 12, Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, and § 552.0035 Judicial records are outside the TPIA. Route requests under Rule 12 TRJA to the court's records custodian / OCA.
Military	Different law applies	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) See the law that applies instead. Federal agency; governed by FOIA (5 U.S.C. § 552), not the TPIA.
National forest	Different law applies	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) See the law that applies instead. Federal agency (USFS/USDA); governed by FOIA, not the TPIA.
National monument	Different law applies	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) See the law that applies instead. Federal agency; governed by FOIA, not the TPIA.
National park	Different law applies	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) See the law that applies instead. Federal agency (NPS/DOI); governed by FOIA, not the TPIA.
National recreation area	Different law applies	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) See the law that applies instead. Federal agency (NPS/DOI); governed by FOIA, not the TPIA.
Wildlife refuge	Different law applies	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) See the law that applies instead. Federal agency (FWS/DOI); governed by FOIA, not the TPIA.
Community nonprofit	Not covered	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) Private entity; not sustained by public funds.
Conservation nonprofit	Not covered	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) Private entity; not sustained by public funds.
Investor-owned utilities	Not covered	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) Investor-owned utilities are private corporations regulated by the PUCT, not governmental bodies. (Municipally owned utilities and river authorities ARE covered.)
Land trust	Not covered	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) Private entity; not sustained by public funds.
Private foundation	Not covered	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) Private entity; not sustained by public funds.
Waste hauler	Not covered	Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) Private contractor; contracting records reachable via the governmental body (§ 552.0222 post-SB 943).
All other public bodies	Covered	Tex. Gov't Code § 552.003(1)(A) ('governmental body') Default assumes an enumerated § 552.003(1)(A) category. For entities claimed under the public-funds prong, apply the Greater Houston Partnership 'sustained by' test before chasing a target.

Coverage notes

• Designated request addresses (SB 944, 2019) A governmental body may designate one email address and one mailing address for PIA requests (§ 552.234). If those are posted on the body's website or sign, an emailed/mailed request must use a designated address to trigger the statutory clock (hand delivery and other posted methods also qualify, § 552.234(d)). Discovery should capture the DESIGNATED address wherever one is posted; HB 4214 (2025) adds an AG-maintained database of designated addresses ((e)-(f)). Tex. Gov't Code § 552.234 (designated request addresses; SB 944, 2019)
• Attorney General ruling path for withholding A governmental body that wishes to withhold must request an attorney general decision within 10 business days and notify the requestor (§ 552.301); failure to do so presumes the information public (§ 552.302). There is no agency-side discretionary balancing test. Tex. Gov't Code § 552.301 (attorney general decision required to withhold)
• Promptness standard (not a fixed production deadline) Production must be 'prompt'. The 10-business-day mark is not a production deadline: if the body cannot produce within 10 business days it must certify that fact and set a date and hour when the records will be available (§ 552.221(d)). Tex. Gov't Code § 552.221 (prompt production; 10-business-day certification)
• Elected county officers are their own custodians In counties, the commissioners court's officer for public information does not control other elected officers' records: the sheriff, county clerk, district clerk, tax assessor-collector, etc. are each the officer for public information for their own office (§ 552.201(b)). Route requests to the specific elected office that holds the records. Tex. Gov't Code § 552.201 (officer for public information)
• Private entities and the public-funds prong A private entity is a governmental body only when sustained by public funds (Greater Houston Partnership). Government contracting records are reachable from the governmental body itself, and SB 943 (2019) narrowed Boeing-era withholding of contract terms. Tex. Gov't Code ch. 552 (TPIA scope; state law only) · Greater Houston Partnership v. Paxton, 468 S.W.3d 51 (Tex. 2015) · Boeing Co. v. Paxton, 466 S.W.3d 831 (Tex. 2015)