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The Government Can’t Ask Why You Want Public Records.

By Michael L. Hamilton IIThe Texas Public RecordSeptember 25, 2026
The Government Can’t Ask Why You Want Public Records.
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Under the Texas Public Information Act, government officials generally cannot question your purpose for requesting public information.

They may ask you to clarify an unclear request or discuss narrowing an extensive one, but they cannot demand that you justify why you want the records.

You do not have to be a journalist, attorney or public official to exercise this right.

Limited identification and eligibility inquiries are permitted by law for certain protected records.

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