Open Records Requests

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Online Open Records Request Form Click to Download

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The Public Information Act, formerly known as the Open Records Act, is located at chapter 552 of the Government Code. The Act provides a mechanism for citizens to inspect or copy government records. It also provides for instances in which governmental bodies wish to, or are required by law to, withhold government records from the public. The Attorney General is responsible for ensuring that Texas government is open and accessible to all citizens. Click here for more information on the Open Records Act. 

 

Rights of Requestors

You have the right to:

• Prompt access to information that is not confidential or otherwise protected;

• Receive treatment equal to all other requestors, including accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements;

• Receive certain kinds of information without exceptions, like the voting record of public officials, and other information;

• Receive a written statement of estimated charges, when charges will exceed $40, in advance of work being started and opportunity to modify the request in response to the itemized statement;

• Choose whether to inspect the requested information (most often at no charge), receive copies of the information or both;

• A waiver or reduction of charges if the governmental body determines that access to the information primarily benefits the general public;

• Receive a copy of the communication from the governmental body asking the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether the information can be withheld under one of the accepted exceptions, or if the communication discloses the requested information, a redacted copy;

• Lodge a written complaint about overcharges for public information with the General Services Commission. Complaints of other possible violations may be filed with the county or district attorney of the county where the governmental body, other than a state agency, is located. If the complaint is against the county or district attorney, the complaint must be filed with the Office of the Attorney General.

 

Responsibilities of Governmental Bodies

All governmental bodies responding to information requests have the responsibility to:

• Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting or copying public information and inform requestors of these procedures; 

• Treat all requestors uniformly and shall give to the requestor all reasonable comfort and facility, including accommodation in accordance with ADA requirements;

• Be informed about open records laws and educate employees on the requirements of those laws;

• Inform requestors of the estimated charges greater than $40 and any changes in the estimates above 20 percent of the original estimate, and confirm that the requestor accepts the charges, or has amended the request, in writing before finalizing the request;

• Inform the requestor if the information cannot be provided promptly and set a date and time to provide it within a reasonable time;

• Request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information the governmental body wishes to withhold, and send a copy of the request for ruling, or a redacted copy, to the requestor;

• Segregate public information from information that may be withheld and provide that public information promptly;

• Make a good faith attempt to inform third parties when their proprietary information is being requested from the governmental body;

• Respond in writing to all written communications from the General Services Commission regarding charges for the information. Respond to the Office of the Attorney General regarding complaints about violations of the Act.

 

The request must be in writing and must be addressed to the governmental body. You may use the Request for Records Form listed below. Remember to clearly label your correspondence as a "Public Information Request" or "Open Records Request." Requests sent via fax or email must be addressed to the public information officer or to the person designated by that officer to receive such requests.

 

By Mail:

Attn: Rosie Lozano

Information Officer 

216 W. Main St. STE A

Uvalde TX 78801

 

In Person: Any of our six locations, or our Board Office

By Email: rosalind.lozano@wfsmrg.org