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SB 445

Relating to eliminating the fee for electronic access to certain information maintained by the secretary of state.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Chuy Hinojosa

Texas SB 445 eliminates Secretary of State fees for electronic access to certain public records, removing cost barriers but shifting expenses to the state budget.

Referred to State Affairs
#business&commerce--general(i0050) #computers&software(s2425) #fees&othernontaxrevenue--state(i0362) #secretaryofstate(v0042) #stateagencies #boards&commissions(i0749)
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Bill Summary · SB 445

Legislative bill overview

SB 445 proposes to eliminate fees that the Texas Secretary of State currently charges for electronic access to certain public records and information. The bill aims to remove financial barriers to accessing government-maintained data that citizens and businesses need for various purposes.

Why is this important

Removing access fees can democratize information by making it available to lower-income individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits who might otherwise avoid costly lookups. However, the Secretary of State's office currently uses these fees to offset operational costs, so eliminating them shifts those expenses to the general fund or requires service reductions.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget impact: The state must either absorb lost revenue or reduce services elsewhere; the fiscal note will determine whether this is a significant concern
  • Which records are affected: The bill's language "certain information" is vague—clarification needed on whether this applies to UCC filings, business entity searches, or other specific databases
  • Implementation burden: Removing fees may increase demand on systems, potentially requiring infrastructure investment to handle higher usage volumes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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