| (a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when
used in this section, will have the following meanings, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Agency--The Texas Animal Health Commission.
(2) Executive Director--The chief executive officer
of the commission appointed by the commissioners.
(3) Public information request--A written request made
for public information pursuant to Texas Government Code, Chapter
552 (the Texas Public Information Act). Another name for a "public
information request" is an "open records request," and these terms
may be used synonymously.
(4) Public Information Coordinator--A person appointed
by the Executive Director to facilitate the processing of public information
requests.
(b) Requests for Public Records. A person seeking records
under Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, Public Information, must
submit a request in writing. The request must reasonably identify
the records requested and be submitted to the agency's Public Information
Coordinator by one of the following methods:
(1) United States mail to Texas Animal Health Commission,
P.O. Box 12966, Austin, TX 78711;
(2) electronic mail to Open_Records@tahc.texas.gov;
or
(3) Hand Delivery to 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, TX 78758.
(c) Charges for Copies of Public Records.
(1) Charges made for providing copies of public information
by the Texas Animal Health Commission shall be assessed in accordance
with the schedule of charges maintained by the Office of the Attorney
General (OAG) and found at 1 TAC §§70.1 - 70.12.
(2) The agency may furnish public records without charge
or at a reduced charge if the agency determines that a waiver or reduction
of the charge is in the public interest.
(d) Inspection of Records.
(1) Access to records for purposes of inspection will
be by appointment only and during the regular business hours of the
agency.
(2) If the safety of any public record or the protection
of confidential information is at issue, or when a request for inspection
would be unduly disruptive to the ongoing business of the office,
the agency may deny physical access and the option of receiving copies
at the prescribed charges will be provided.
(3) A person may not remove an original copy of an
official agency record from the offices of the agency.
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