EPISD Seeks Attorney General Ruling on Food Vendor Records Request
EAGLE PASS, Texas — The Eagle Pass Independent School District has asked the Texas Attorney General to rule on whether certain records related to district food vendors and supply agreements must be released under the Texas Public Information Act.
The request for information was submitted on December 7 and received by the district on December 8. It seeks records covering the past three years that identify food vendors, contracts, purchase orders, bids, and documents showing the source of food served at EPISD campuses. The request also asks for records reflecting any changes in food vendors during that period.
According to correspondence sent to the Attorney General, the district notified state officials within the required 10-business-day window that it believes some responsive records may be exempt from disclosure under Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code. As required by law, the district informed the requestor that it intends to withhold the information until the Attorney General issues a ruling.
An initial letter submitted by the district listed a broad range of potential exceptions to disclosure. Several days later, the district submitted an amended letter narrowing the scope of exceptions it claims may apply to the records. The amended filing focuses primarily on provisions related to confidential information, bidding and procurement, commercial or proprietary information, audit working papers, and certain financial and email records.
The Maverick Times has received amended filings in nearly every instance in which a request for an Attorney General ruling has been made in connection with public information requests. Amended submissions are permitted under the Public Information Act and are commonly used by public entities to clarify or narrow legal arguments presented to the Attorney General’s Office.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, records showing how public funds are spent, including vendor identities and contract amounts, are generally considered public information. The law allows limited redactions in specific circumstances, such as for confidential financial data or narrowly defined proprietary information, but places the burden on the government to justify withholding records.
The district stated it would submit additional briefing and copies of the responsive documents to the Attorney General within the 15-business-day deadline required by law. If an agency fails to meet statutory deadlines or does not provide sufficient legal justification, the requested records are presumed to be public.
The Attorney General’s Office will review the submissions and determine which records, if any, may be withheld and which must be released. Until a ruling is issued, the district is permitted to withhold the requested information.
The final determination will establish what food vendor and procurement records EPISD must disclose under state law.
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