(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.

Source Note: The provisions of this §59.5 adopted to be effective December 12, 1994, 19 TexReg 9490; amended to be effective October 21, 2021, 46 TexReg 7046