HB 3516: bill shielding more judges’ working papers from records requests

Caption

relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Now covers Railroad Commission of Texas judges and technical examiners.

The bill widens an existing exception in the Texas public information law so that certain working papers and electronic communications no longer have to be released on request. It already covered administrative law judges at the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and it now also covers technical examiners and administrative law judges at the Railroad Commission of Texas. Their notes, internal thoughts and deliberations, draft proposals for decision, and draft orders in contested cases and dispute resolution can be withheld for requests received on or after September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 4083 by Rep. Goldman (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Paul Dyson (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Nathan Johnson (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3516 · 2025-02-28

SOLD BY

Rep. Paul DysonRHouse 14

ITEM

relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.

WHAT IT DOES

Now covers Railroad Commission of Texas judges and technical examiners.

The bill widens an existing exception in the Texas public information law so that certain working papers and electronic communications no longer have to be released on request. It already covered administrative law judges at the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and it now also covers technical examiners and administrative law judges at the Railroad Commission of Texas. Their notes, internal thoughts and deliberations, draft proposals for decision, and draft orders in contested cases and dispute resolution can be withheld for requests received on or after September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Feb 28, 2025Filed
Mar 24, 2025Read first time
Mar 24, 2025Referred to Energy Resources
Mar 31, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Mar 31, 2025Considered in public hearing
Mar 31, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Mar 31, 2025Left pending in committee
Apr 3, 2025Considered in formal meeting
Apr 3, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
Apr 8, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 8, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 8, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
Apr 22, 2025Considered in Calendars
Apr 25, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
Apr 28, 2025Read 2nd time
Apr 28, 2025Passed to engrossment
Apr 28, 2025Record vote RV#643
Apr 28, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Apr 29, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 29, 2025Passed
Apr 29, 2025Record vote RV#739
Apr 29, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Apr 29, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 29, 2025Received from the House
May 19, 2025Read first time
May 19, 2025Referred to Business & Commerce
May 22, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 22, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 22, 2025Left pending in committee
May 25, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 25, 2025Vote taken in committee
May 25, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
May 25, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
May 25, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
May 27, 2025Placed on intent calendar
May 28, 2025Placed on local & uncontested calendar
May 28, 2025Laid before the Senate
May 28, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
May 28, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 28, 2025Three day rule suspended
May 28, 2025Record vote
May 28, 2025Read 3rd time
May 28, 2025Passed
May 28, 2025Record vote
May 29, 2025Senate passage reported
May 30, 2025Reported enrolled
May 30, 2025Signed in the House
May 31, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 31, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 117 yea · 30 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 29, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Paul Dyson

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$340K Texas Conservative Majority PAC$161K Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$62K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$340,207.92

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$340,207.92

Cash: $50,000.00
Paid by others: $290,207.92
Total: $340,207.92

advertising $183,880.00digital $90,527.92polling $15,800.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010767, 101033320, 101069287, 101072136.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$160,800.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$160,800.00

Cash: $45,000.00
Paid by others: $115,800.00
Total: $160,800.00

canvassing $100,000.00polling $15,800.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Aug 18, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101069287, 101072136.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$62,419.26

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$62,419.26

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $62,419.26
Total: $62,419.26

mailers $43,779.93Other filed descriptions $7,339.33polling $5,800.00digital $5,500.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010767, 101069287, 101072136.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$340,207.92

Cash: $50,000.00
Paid by others: $290,207.92
Total: $340,207.92

advertising $183,880.00digital $90,527.92polling $15,800.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010767, 101033320, 101069287, 101072136.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$160,800.00

Cash: $45,000.00
Paid by others: $115,800.00
Total: $160,800.00

canvassing $100,000.00polling $15,800.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Aug 18, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101069287, 101072136.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$62,419.26

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $62,419.26
Total: $62,419.26

mailers $43,779.93Other filed descriptions $7,339.33polling $5,800.00digital $5,500.00

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010767, 101069287, 101072136.

Votes5

Senate May 28, 2025

Final passage

Yea: 30
Nay: 1
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

MiddletonNay

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 3516 (Johnson) Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law. (viva voce vote) (30-1) "Nay" Middleton (30-1) "Nay" Middleton

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 30 (published)
Nay: 1 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea: 30
Nay: 1
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

MiddletonNay

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 3516 (Johnson) Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law. (viva voce vote) (30-1) "Nay" Middleton (30-1) "Nay" Middleton

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 30 (published)
Nay: 1 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Passage to third reading

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

HB 3516 (Johnson) Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law. (viva voce vote) (30-1) "Nay" Middleton (30-1) "Nay" Middleton

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea: 117
Nay: 30
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 1
Excused: 1

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 739

HB 3516 was passed by (Record 739): 117 Yeas, 30 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 117 (published)
Nay: 30 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 28, 2025

Yea: 116
Nay: 24
Present, not voting: 4
Absent: 5
Excused: 1

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 643

HB 3516 was passed to engrossment by (Record 643): 116 Yeas, 24 Nays, 4 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 116 (published)
Nay: 24 (published)
Present, not voting: 4 (published)
Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses4

For: 0
Against: 2
On: 2

Names

Against

Self1 registration
Self; Commission Shift Action1 registration

On

Railroad Commission1 registration
Railroad Commission of Texas1 registration

Sources

4 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R HB 4083

by Rep. Goldman, different lead author · Died in committee · same text

Introduced text

Last action, May 16, 2023: Referred to Business & Commerce

Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 28, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Companion

SB 2377 by Johnson (identical)

Subjects

Courts--Judges

Electronic Information Systems

Open Records

State Agencies, Boards & Commissions--Admin. Procedure

EMAIL & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

RAILROAD COMMISSION

Text

The text as introduced · 231 words

89R3838 MCK-F

By: Dyson
H.B. No. 3516

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the availability of certain working papers and

electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and

technical examiners under the public information law.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 552.144, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 552.144. EXCEPTION: WORKING PAPERS AND ELECTRONIC

COMMUNICATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES AND TECHNICAL

EXAMINERS AT STATE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS AND RAILROAD

COMMISSION . The following working papers and electronic

communications of an administrative law judge at the State Office

of Administrative Hearings or of a technical examiner or

administrative law judge at the Railroad Commission of Texas are

excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021:

(1) notes and electronic communications recording the

observations, thoughts, questions, deliberations, or impressions

of an administrative law judge or a technical examiner ;

(2) drafts of a proposal for decision;

(3) drafts of orders made in connection with

conducting contested case hearings; and

(4) drafts of orders made in connection with

conducting alternative dispute resolution procedures.

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a request for public information received by a governmental body or

an officer for public information on or after the effective date of

this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: No flags

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

Senate May 28, 2025

Senate May 28, 2025

Senate May 28, 2025

House Apr 29, 2025

House Apr 28, 2025

Against

On

88R HB 4083

Companion