🟡An Act relating to the omission or redaction of certain personal information from certain real property records
HB 4350
🟡 HB 4350: Selective Privacy for Law Enforcement and Judges
What it says it does:
HB 4350 lets peace officers, judges, U.S. attorneys, U.S. Marshals, and their family members request that their home addresses, driver’s license numbers, and Social Security numbers be removed from online property records. It’s described as a way to protect them from doxxing and harassment.
What it actually changes:
The bill creates two layers of public records. County clerks and their contracted vendors must redact personal details from online databases if asked. Those websites must also post a notice saying they may be incomplete and that the courthouse records are the only official version. The official record still exists in person, but the online one will no longer match it.
Who is pushing for it:
Law enforcement unions and associations including CLEAT, the Texas Municipal Police Association, the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, the Texas Police Chiefs Association, and local police unions in Austin, Houston, and Dallas. The City of San Antonio supported it, and the Texas Land Title Association testified “on” the bill.
Who benefits:
Law enforcement officers, judges, and their families gain a new legal right to hide certain personal data. Title companies and online record vendors gain clarity that they can redact data and label their databases incomplete without liability.
Who gets left out or exposed:
Everyday Texans cannot request the same redaction. Journalists, watchdogs, and ordinary citizens lose easy access to full property information online. Transparency drops for those without time or resources to visit courthouses in person.
Why this matters long term:
HB 4350 sets a precedent that public records online can be selectively edited for certain classes of people. It normalizes incomplete data in digital systems and reduces public oversight. Future sessions could expand these carveouts to more professions, quietly narrowing access to government information.
What to watch next:
Expect efforts to broaden who qualifies for redaction and what types of data can be hidden. Watch whether counties struggle to keep up with redaction requests or quietly extend the practice to other records.
Bottom line:
HB 4350 answers a real safety concern, but it does so by creating two sets of rules. One group gains privacy, while everyone else loses transparency. It’s a well-meaning fix with long-term risks for open government.
#HB4350 #TexasPolicy #Transparency #PublicRecords #WatchTheRules