Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) If the requestor does not request a copy of public information, a charge may not be imposed for making available for inspection any public information that exists in a paper record, except as provided by this section.
(b) If a requested page contains confidential information that must be edited from the record before the information can be made available for inspection, the governmental body may charge for the cost of making a photocopy of the page from which confidential information must be edited. No charge other than the cost of the photocopy may be imposed under this subsection.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an officer for public information or the officer's agent may require a requestor to pay, or to make a deposit or post a bond for the payment of, anticipated personnel costs for making available for inspection public information that exists in paper records only if:
(1) the public information specifically requested by the requestor:
(A) is older than five years; or
(B) completely fills, or when assembled will completely fill, six or more archival boxes; and
(2) the officer for public information or the officer's agent estimates that more than five hours will be required to make the public information available for inspection.
(d) If the governmental body has fewer than 16 full-time employees, the payment, the deposit, or the bond authorized by Subsection (c) may be required only if:
(1) the public information specifically requested by the requestor:
(A) is older than three years; or
(B) completely fills, or when assembled will completely fill, three or more archival boxes; and
(2) the officer for public information or the officer's agent estimates that more than two hours will be required to make the public information available for inspection.
(e) A requestor who has exceeded a limit established by a governmental body under Section 552.275 may not inspect public information on behalf of another requestor unless the requestor who exceeded the limit has paid each statement issued by the governmental body under Section 552.275(e).
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 552.271. Inspection of Public Information in Paper Record if Copy Not Requested - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/government-code/gov-t-sect-552-271/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)