Legal Services

	"I have gotten a request under the Public Information Act for copies of correspondence between me and one of my constituents who wanted to avoid placement of a culvert near her property. We discussed the matter by e-mail. When I make the copies, must I include her personal e-mail?"

May the e-mail address of a member of the public be released in a response to a public information act request?

No. The email address would need to be redacted. Under Section 552.137 of the Government Code, the email of a member of the public that is provided for the purpose of communicating electronically with a governmental body or public official is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Public Information Act. For more information about the Public Information Act, see our Public Information Act handbook.