HB 1893 modifies Texas law to require law enforcement agencies to disclose motor vehicle license plate numbers visible or audible in video recordings they obtain or maintain. The bill specifies that these license plate numbers are not confidential under public information laws and must be included without redaction when releasing such videos to the public. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, which must now provide unaltered video recordings containing license plate numbers in response to public information requests. The policy change took effect September 1, 2025, after the bill was signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.
SB 1293 clarifies that Texas government agencies must provide dates of birth in public records unless specific exceptions apply. It explicitly states that dates of birth are generally public information under the Texas Public Information Act, with exceptions only for cases permitted by existing law (like HIPAA health privacy rules) or other constitutional/statutory requirements. The law applies only to requests received on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate effect). This bill directly affects public officials handling records requests and ensures dates of birth are treated as public information by default.
HB 3719 requires Texas government agencies to release dates of birth in public records unless specific exceptions apply. It directly affects citizens, journalists, and researchers requesting public information, as agencies can no longer withhold dates of birth by default under the Public Information Act. The bill clarifies that dates of birth must be disclosed unless exempt under existing law (Section 552.102), federal HIPAA privacy rules (45 C.F.R. Parts 160-164), or other constitutional/statutory law. The change applies only to requests received on or after September 1, 2025 (or immediately if approved by two-thirds vote). This policy adjustment standardizes public access to dates of birth while preserving existing privacy protections.
