Two new Texas transparency laws passed in the spring legislative session took effect Sept. 1, addressing public records problems that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 930 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, and Rep. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, ensures that governmental entities must release information on COVID-19 and other communicable disease outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The names and locations of the facilities must be made available to the public. Individual patient information will be protected. Senate Bill 1225 by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, clarifies the “catastrophe notice” provision of the Texas Public Information ...