Public Information Policy

TDA and the Texas Public Information Act

The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know
and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created. (Section 552.001(a), Texas Govt Code)

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is committed to upholding the principles of transparency and access embodied in the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), Tex. Gov't Code, chapter 552. In accordance with the PIA, TDA provides prompt, equal, and open access to information that is not confidential or otherwise exempted from disclosure under the PIA.

TDA's Public Information Office will be CLOSED April 18, 2025 in observance of Good Friday and will be operating with a reduced capacity, April 21, 2025 (Non-Business Day for the purposes of the PIO) in observance of San Jacinto Day. TDA will resume normal operations April 22, 2025.

Submitting A Request for Records

To request records maintained by TDA, you must submit a request in writing using one of the following methods:

Submit a request using TDA’s online form
Submit a request via email to Pubinfo@TexasAgriculture.gov
Submit a request via postal mail to the Public Information Office at:
Public Information Office
PO Box 12847
Austin, Texas 78711; or
Deliver your request in person to TDA, at:
Texas Department of Agriculture
Stephen F. Austin Building
1700 North Congress, 11th Floor
Austin, Texas 78701

PLEASE NOTE: Public information requests are not accepted by phone. A public information request must be made in writing, and the information requested must already be in existence. TDA is not required to answer questions, perform legal research, or create new information when responding to a public information request.

Questions? Please contact the Public Information Office.

Non-Business Days

As permitted by law, TDA has designated the following days as non-business days (CY2025) for the Public Information Office:

Good Friday, April 18, 2025;
San Jacinto Day, April 21, 2025;
Emancipation Day (Juneteenth), June 19, 2025;
LBJ Day, August 27, 2025;
Day before Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2025; and
New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025.

Fees

Pursuant to Section 552.2615 of the PIA, a request for information resulting in charges exceeding $40 requires TDA to send a written itemized cost estimate to the requestor before work begins. The requestor must respond in writing to TDA's cost estimate and submit payment within 10 business days after the date the cost estimate is sent to the requestor. If response and payment are not received within 10 business days, the request will be considered automatically withdrawn. If estimated costs exceed $100, TDA will require a deposit of 50% of the estimated cost within the mandated 10-business-day time frame. These fees may be waived if the records are determined to benefit the public. Fees may also be avoided by in-office inspection of responsive records.

Resources and Information

Contact the Public Information Office

For questions about your request, how to submit a request, or information on request fees, please contact us by phone or email.

Tel: (512) 463-7802
TDA Customer Service (Toll Free): (800) TELL-TDA (835-5832)

Email: PubInfo@TexasAgriculture.gov