{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-551.146","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Government Code § 551.146","heading":"DISCLOSURE OF CERTIFIED AGENDA OR RECORDING OF CLOSED MEETING; OFFENSE; PENALTY; CIVIL LIABILITY.","body":"(a) An individual, corporation, or partnership that without lawful authority knowingly discloses to a member of the public the certified agenda or recording of a meeting that was lawfully closed to the public under this chapter:\n(1) commits an offense; and\n(2) is liable to a person injured or damaged by the disclosure for:\n(A) actual damages, including damages for personal injury or damage, lost wages, defamation, or mental or other emotional distress;\n(B) reasonable attorney fees and court costs; and\n(C) at the discretion of the trier of fact, exemplary damages.\n(b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class B misdemeanor.\n(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(1) and an affirmative defense to a civil action under Subsection (a)(2) that:\n(1) the defendant had good reason to believe the disclosure was lawful; or\n(2) the disclosure was the result of a mistake of fact concerning the nature or content of the certified agenda or recording.\nAdded by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.\nAmended by:\nActs 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 471), Sec. 17, eff. May 18, 2013.\nActs 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 471), Sec. 18, eff. May 18, 2013.","path":["GOVERNMENT CODE","TITLE 5. OPEN GOVERNMENT; ETHICS","SUBTITLE A. OPEN GOVERNMENT","CHAPTER 551. OPEN MEETINGS","SUBCHAPTER G. ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES; CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.551.htm#551.146","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:16Z","sha256":"60be7e7b3a819d9e7234179ceca7c6f198f56f5c0c7c631fff2c24cc8360552e","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-551.145","next":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-552.001"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}