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Bill

HB 3112

Relating to the application of the open meetings law and public information law to government information related to certain cybersecurity measures.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Ben Bumgarner and 4 co-sponsors

Texas bill exempts government cybersecurity information from public disclosure and open meeting requirements, balancing security protection against reduced transparency and accountability.

Effective immediately
#citygovernment--general(i0060) #countygovernment--general(i0096) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #insurance--general(i0445) #openmeetings(i0546) #openrecords(i0548) #politicalsubdivisions(i0588) #stateagencies #boards&commissions(i0749)
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Bill Summary · HB 3112

Legislative bill overview

HB 3112 creates exemptions to Texas's Open Meetings Law and Public Information Law (Texas Public Information Act) for government information related to cybersecurity measures. The bill allows government entities to withhold details about their cybersecurity vulnerabilities, defensive strategies, and security protocols from public disclosure and closed-session meeting requirements.

Why is this important

Cybersecurity threats to government systems pose real operational and public safety risks, and premature disclosure of vulnerabilities could enable attacks. However, this exemption also affects government transparency and accountability, as the public loses visibility into how tax dollars are spent on security and whether systems adequately protect citizen data and critical infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's definition of "cybersecurity measures" may be interpreted broadly enough to shield routine operational decisions or budget allocations unrelated to actual security threats
  • Accountability reduction: Exempting cybersecurity information from public disclosure limits legislative and public oversight of government IT spending and security practices
  • Data protection concerns: Citizens cannot verify whether their personal data held by government agencies is adequately protected if security measures remain entirely secret

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

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