TX SB824

Requires governmental bodies to notify requestors in writing within 10 business days if no responsive information exists or if information is being withheld based on a previous determination, with identification of the specific prior ruling

Prohibits governmental bodies from charging fees for copies of campaign finance reports (unless all reports from the past three years are available online), or when the body fails to meet deadlines, requests late clarification, fails to provide required information when seeking attorney general decisions, or when the attorney general determines information must be disclosed

Removes the requirement for governmental bodies to provide itemized cost estimates after an attorney general ruling, while establishing specific 15-business-day deadlines for producing voluminous information in single or multiple batches

Expands mandatory court assessment of litigation costs and attorney fees to include cases where governmental bodies voluntarily release information after a lawsuit is filed, unless the body released the information or certified a release date before suit was filed

Creates a formal complaint process allowing requestors to file complaints with the attorney general when governmental bodies fail to respond, which can result in required open records training, prohibition on charging costs, and expedited 5-business-day deadlines for seeking attorney general decisions on withholding information