CS/HB 437: Public Records
GENERAL BILL by Government Operations Subcommittee ; Andrade ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Campbell
Public Records; Provides that it is a violation of specified provisions to fail to acknowledge public records request promptly & respond to such request in good faith; revises various provisions relating to custodians of public records, agencies, fees, & penalties; requires written, detailed cost estimate be provided upon request to persons seeking to inspect or copy public record; requires courts to assess specified costs, fees, & penalties.
Last Action: 1/22/2026 House - 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
Bill Text: PDF
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Bill History
Date Chamber Action 11/17/2025 House • Filed
11/24/2025 House • Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee
• Referred to Judiciary Committee
• Referred to Justice Budget Subcommittee
• Referred to State Affairs Committee
• Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
1/13/2026 House • 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/16/2026 House • Added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
1/21/2026 House • Favorable with CS by Government Operations Subcommittee
• Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee
• Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
• CS Filed
1/22/2026 House • Referred to Judiciary Committee
• Referred to Justice Budget Subcommittee
• Referred to State Affairs Committee
• Now in Judiciary Committee
• 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
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CS/HB 437, Committee Substitute 1 (Current Bill Version) Posted 1/21/2026 at 5:10 PM
Bill Text: PDF Analyses: None Related Bills (1)
Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills S 770 Public Records Rouson Similar Last Action: 1/13/2026 S Introduced 
Citations - Statutes (6)
Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help 119.011 Definitions. Page 3 (pdf) 119.07 Inspection and copying of records; photographing public records; fees; exemptions. Page 4 (pdf) 119.10 Violation of chapter; penalties. Page 10 (pdf) 119.12 Attorney fees. Page 11 (pdf) 282.711 Remote electronic access services. Page 13 (pdf) 921.0022 Criminal Punishment Code; offense severity ranking chart. Page 14 (pdf) -
HB 437, Original Filed Version Posted 11/17/2025 at 2:13 PM
Bill Text: PDF Analyses: Government Operations Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) 1/21/2026 (pdf)
Related Bills (1)
Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills S 770 Public Records Rouson Similar Last Action: 1/13/2026 S Introduced
Committee Amendments (1)
Amendment Sponsor Filed Last Committee Action Format 690163 - Amendment
Remove lines 327-354Andrade 1/20/2026
4:48 PMAdopted
1/21/2026PDF Citations - Statutes (7)
Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help 119.011 Definitions. Page 3 (pdf) 119.07 Inspection and copying of records; photographing public records; fees; exemptions. Page 4 (pdf) 119.10 Violation of chapter; penalties. Page 11 (pdf) 119.12 Attorney fees. Page 12 (pdf) 119.15 Legislative review of exemptions from public meeting and public records requirements. Page 14 (pdf) 282.711 Remote electronic access services. Page 15 (pdf) 921.0022 Criminal Punishment Code; offense severity ranking chart. Page 15 (pdf)