John Smithee, Texas State Representative of the 86th district (R) | https://www.facebook.com/JohnSmitheeHD86/
John Smithee, Texas State Representative of the 86th district (R) | https://www.facebook.com/JohnSmitheeHD86/
More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’Relating to the public information law’’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
This bill amends the Texas Government Code to enhance the public information law by establishing procedures for government bodies responding to information requests. It requires a written notification within 10 business days if a governmental body has no responsive information or if previous determinations allow withholding it. It prohibits charging for public information under certain conditions, such as pending attorney general opinions or online availability. The bill mandates timely information disclosure, even if done in batches, with specific notice requirements. It revises conditions under which litigation costs and attorney fees are assessed. Additionally, it introduces a complaint procedure for failure to respond, requiring open records training and possibly releasing withheld information. The changes apply to requests received on or after Sept. 1, 2025.
John Smithee, chair of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and member of the House Committee on State Affairs, proposed another five bills during the 89(R) legislative session.
Smithee graduated from West Texas A&M with a BBA and again from Texas Tech University Law School with a JD.
John Smithee is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state's 86th House district. He replaced previous state representative Bob Simpson in 1985.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB 3688 | 03/25/2025 | Relating to the issuance of certain anticipation notes and certificates of obligation |
| HB 76 | 03/18/2025 | Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds to pay bail bonds |
| HB 75 | 03/18/2025 | Relating to the release of defendants on bail, the duties of a magistrate in certain criminal proceedings, and the regulation of charitable bail organizations |
| HB 1957 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to an exemption from jury service for a person who is over the age of 65 |
| HB 1945 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the confidentiality of a public or private school employee's home address information in property tax appraisal records |
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