🟡An Act relating to the security of certain personal identifying information submitted to or retained by a state agency.

HB 5129

🟡 HB 5129: Right to Privacy Act for Licensed Texans

What it says it does:
HB 5129 creates the “Right to Privacy Act.” It stops state agencies from releasing or keeping unredacted personal information such as home addresses, phone numbers, emails, and driver’s license numbers of people who apply for occupational licenses, unless they give written consent.

What it actually changes:
The bill adds a new rule in the Government Code requiring agencies to redact or withhold personal data and keep any written consent on file. Law enforcement can still access the information for official purposes, and business licenses handled by the Comptroller are excluded from these protections.

Who is pushing for it:
Support came from the Texas Association of School Boards, the Texas Municipal Police Association, and the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. The bill was authored by Rep. Candy Noble (R, HD89) with several co-authors and carried in the Senate by Sen. Alvarado.

Who benefits:
Teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers, and other licensed professionals gain stronger privacy protection from public record requests. Agencies lower the risk of releasing personal data. Law enforcement keeps full access.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Business license holders under the Comptroller’s authority, such as sales tax permit holders, remain fully open to public records. Journalists and watchdog groups lose some transparency since person-level data for licensed professionals will now be harder to obtain.

Why this matters long term:
HB 5129 creates a two-tier privacy system, protecting some workers but not others. It also shifts control of personal data toward state agencies and law enforcement, limiting what the public can review. Future bills could build on this framework and expand selective protection even further.

What to watch next:
Watch for follow-up bills that broaden or redefine “occupational license.” Also keep an eye on how agencies manage records under the law enforcement exception and whether independent oversight is added in future sessions.

Bottom line:
HB 5129 improves privacy for many Texans but leaves major gaps and uneven coverage. It is a cautious win for privacy and a quiet loss for transparency and equal treatment.