FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar on June 18

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Editor's Note: The Branch Herald is including this information because records requests through Texas Public Information Act have been recently discussed at Farmers Branch and Addison city councils.

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is holding an Open Government Seminar in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Thursday, June 18, 2026, featuring training in state open meetings and public records laws.

The free seminar will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency DFW, Grapevine Room, 2334 N. International Pkwy, DFW Airport. The nonprofit FOI Foundation of Texas is conducting the seminar in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The Texas Press Association is hosting the event at the start of its annual convention. The public is invited to the training seminar. (Validated self-parking is available if you pull a ticket at the DFW Airport toll plaza through the gates marked “TICKET ONLY.” If you enter through a TollTag lane you will be responsible for the daily parking rate.)

“The training sessions are open to the public and are designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and engaged citizens – anyone interested in learning more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the FOI Foundation of Texas.

Check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. The seminar agenda is as follows:

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Tom Williams, an FOI Foundation board member and a partner in the Fort Worth office of Haynes & Boone, LLP, presents training on the Texas Open Meetings Act.

2:10 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.: Tamara Smith, Open Records Division chief with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, presents training on the Texas Public Information Act.

3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Tamara Smith presents training on the cost rules associated with the Texas Public Information Act.

The sessions are approved as meeting the state requirements for open government training for public officials. State Bar CLE is available. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. RSVP to kelley.shannon@foift.org.

For more information go to www.foift.org or call 512-377-1575.

_{Local News Matters.}