By: Watson S.C.R. No. 56
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
  WHEREAS, The Texas Public Information Act has recently been
  impacted by court decisions; and
         WHEREAS, During the 85th Legislative Session, lawmakers and
  other stakeholders spent months collaborating on several bills to
  improve the act, with many proposals garnering broad support;
  despite those efforts, significant reforms failed to pass, leaving
  TPIA still susceptible to a number of loopholes; and
         WHEREAS, Government transparency is a vital component of an
  informed citizenry, and it is incumbent on the State of Texas to
  ensure that the public have access to information regarding how
  their government functions in order to promote accountability,
  openness, and honesty; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house
  of representatives to create a joint interim committee to examine
  all state open-government laws, including the Texas Public
  Information Act, for opportunities to improve transparency and
  accountability; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including
  its findings and recommendations, to the 86th Texas Legislature
  before it convenes in January 2019; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be
  governed by such general rules and policies for joint interim
  committees as the 85th Legislature may adopt.