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Stay Informed with Facts
In a fast-paced digital world, information can travel quickly, and sometimes without all the facts. The City of Seabrook created this page to help clarify common questions, address misinformation, and provide context on topics circulating in the community.
Here, you’ll find reliable and up-to-date information straight from official city sources. We’re committed to transparency and keeping our residents well-informed.
We appreciate your interest and involvement in what’s happening around Seabrook. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
Clarifying Proposed Changes to Public Information Requests
In 2023, HB 3033 was passed, enabling Texas cities to address vexatious requesters by establishing procedures to manage repeated, burdensome public records requests.
The Seabrook City Council recently approved the first reading of an ordinance to more efficiently manage public records requests and prevent abuse of the system.
This ordinance does not limit anyone’s right to access public records. All requests will continue to be handled in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act.
The ordinance introduces a few changes to improve the management of requests:
- The City may request identification from requesters to verify their identity.
- After a single requester has utilized 36 hours of staff time within a fiscal year, or wishes to remain anonymous
- prepayment would be required prior to staff allocating time to fulfill the request.
- processing of future requests could be temporarily suspended if costs are owed on other open requests
These measures ensure that city staff can serve all residents effectively while maintaining open and transparent access to public information.
FAQs
Is the City limiting access to public records?
No. The City of Seabrook is not limiting or restricting access to public records. All requestors, whether typical or classified as vexatious, can still submit and receive records in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code §§ 552.275 et seq.).
The purpose of the ordinance is to improve efficiency and fairness in how records requests are handled, not to reduce transparency or public access.
What is a Vexatious Requester?
A vexatious requester is an individual who:
- Repeatedly submits frivolous, repetitive, or harassing records requests; and
- Whose actions strain city resources.
In simpler terms, these are requesters who overuse or misuse the open records process in ways that disrupt normal operations or create an excessive burden on staff.
How does this change my ability to access information from the city?
For the majority of requestors, the process to access public information will not change.
The ordinance introduces a few changes to improve the management of requests:
- The City may request identification from requesters to verify their identity.
- After a single requester has utilized 36 hours of staff time within a fiscal year, or wishes to remain anonymous
- prepayment would be required prior to staff allocating time to fulfill the request.
- processing of future requests could be temporarily suspended if costs are owed on other open requests
For questions or additional information, please email the City Secretary's Office.
FAQs
Are the requesters billed for the legal costs associated with their requests?
No. The local legal costs are paid by our local taxpayers; however, we do log attorney hours into the times associated with each request. State taxpayers pay for the costs associated with any AG rulings initiated by the City to process requests.
What are the requesters billed for exactly?
The Attorney General only allows us to bill for the time it takes to gather and review records to respond to requests. We use the AG's cost calculator, which allows us to bill $15 for every hour of labor. This means that the requester is billed for less than 1/2 the costs associated with their requests, and the taxpayers pay the remainder. We can also bill for any costs for materials, but this does not come up often in our mostly digital world.
How often do requesters actually pay the cost bills sent to them?
Seldom. Aside from police records, which are often paid for, the taxpayers pay 100% of the costs associated with record requests, the vast majority of the time.
Do requesters get records even if they don't pay?
No. Requestors are given 10 business days to pay for their requests in order to receive the records. If no payment is made, then the request is closed.
How does this new vexatious requester ordinance factor into all of this?
After one requester reaches 36 hours of staff time within a fiscal year, a cost bill may be sent in advance of the labor taking place. If that requester refuses to pay, this results in less costs passed on to the taxpayers.
Was there unauthorized access to a secured election area at City Hall?
No. All areas accessed within City Hall during the May 3, 2025, election were done so by authorized personnel.
Did city staff alter election data?
No. The City of Seabrook uses CivicPlus for its website and CivicClerk for meeting agendas and documents. These systems are not connected to election equipment and do not handle any vote-tabulation data. Updates made through these platforms after Election Day were limited to posting election results to the City's website, part of standard operating procedure.
Did someone enter City Hall for unauthorized purposes?
No. All persons who accessed the building on Election Day did so in their professional capacity.
Was any election equipment or data compromised?
No. Seabrook uses Hart InterCivic voting systems, which include the following safeguards:
- Machines operate completely offline; they do not connect to the internet.
- Equipment includes multiple layers of built-in security.
- All systems are tested and certified by state and federal authorities.
Did city staff discard official election materials?
No. After polls closed, City staff removed temporary signage and sample ballots displayed for public reference. This is a routine part of the election wrap-up. While used sample ballots may be discarded, remaining samples are retained and can be reviewed by the public by contacting the City Secretary’s Office.
Stay Connected
Learn more about how you can stay connected with the City of Seabrook at www.seabrooktx.gov/stayconnected.