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HB 4136

Relating to the availability of certain personal information of a member of the governing board of an institution of higher education, the chief executive officer of the institution, or the chief executive officer of a university system.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Giovanni Capriglione and 1 co-sponsor

HB 4136 restricts public access to personal information of Texas university board members and executives through public records laws.

Postponed
#education--higher--faculty(i0236) #education--higher--institutions&programs(i0223) #education--higher--privateschools(i0238) #openrecords(i0548) #protectionofpersonalinformation(i0003)
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Bill Summary · HB 4136

Legislative bill overview

HB 4136 restricts public access to certain personal information of university governing board members, university presidents/CEOs, and university system executives in Texas. The bill limits what personal data can be disclosed under public records laws for these specific higher education officials.

Why is this important

This bill directly impacts government transparency by potentially removing personal information from public records that citizens and journalists typically use for accountability and oversight. Higher education leaders make decisions affecting billions in state funding and thousands of students, making their personal information accessibility a balance between privacy rights and public accountability.

Potential points of contention

  • Transparency vs. Privacy: Critics may argue this shields high-paid public officials from scrutiny, while supporters contend these officials deserve privacy protections like other professionals
  • Selective application: The bill applies only to higher education officials, raising questions about why similar protections don't exist for other public sector leaders with comparable authority and compensation
  • Scope ambiguity: The phrase "certain personal information" lacks clear definition in the bill summary, creating uncertainty about what data is actually protected and how broadly it applies

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

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