Public Information Requests to the Port of Corpus Christi Authority

Please see attached notice regarding all Texas Public Information Act requests

The Public Information Act, as set forth under Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code (the “Act”), governs the public’s access to certain governmental records. Governmental records are generally presumed to be available to the public; however, exceptions apply to the disclosure of certain information. The following information describes the Port of Corpus Christi Authority’s (the “Port Authority”) general requirements for persons submitting a public information request under the Act (“PIR”) and its processes and procedures for responding to such PIRs. All requirements set forth herein are intended to comply with the provisions of the Act, as may be revised from time to time, and are deemed to be amended as applicable to comply therewith.

The Public Information Act

Bridge

Procedures for Submission of Public Information Request

To request access to or obtain copies of certain Port Authority’s governmental records, please hand deliver or send a written request (via mail or email) to:
Port of Corpus Christi Authority
ATTN: Public Information Officer
400 Harbor Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Email: publicinformationrequest@pocca.com

 

How to Request Public Information

There is no form required by law to request public information; however, you may use the Public Information Request Form prepared by the Port Authority. Additionally, Texas law has some public information request requirements.

Open Records Requests Requirements and Suggestions

  1. The request must be in writing. Only written requests trigger the Port Authority’s obligations under the Texas Public Information Act.
  2. The request should be for records already in existence. The Port Authority is not required to answer questions, perform legal research or comply with a continuing request to supply information as such information is prepared in the future.
  3. If you believe that the Port Authority has not responded as required by the Public Information Act, you may contact the Texas Attorney General’s Open Records Division Hotline at (512) 478-6736 or toll-free (877) 673-6839 (877 OPENTEX), or the Nueces County District Attorney or County Attorney. Further information is available at the Texas Attorney General’s website.
  4. If you have questions about charges for the information you have requested, you may contact the Cost Rules Administrator for the Office of the Attorney General at (512) 475-2497.

What Requestors Can Expect after a Request is Made

The Public Information Act prohibits the Port Authority from asking you why you want the information you have requested. However, the Port Authority may ask you to clarify your request, if we are uncertain as to what you want, and we may discuss with you how the scope of your request may be narrowed, if you have requested a large amount of information.

If the Port Authority wishes to withhold information from you, we must:

Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
FAX (512) 494-8017
Office of the Attorney General
Open Records Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548

The Public Information Act prohibits the Attorney General from releasing the records.

Third Party Information

When an Attorney General Decision is Issued

Responsibilities of Requestors

All persons who submit a PIR must:

  1. Submit a written PIR in accordance with the Act and the Port Authority’s reasonable procedures.
  2. Include sufficient description and detail of the requested information to enable the Port Authority to accurately identify, locate, and provide the requested items
  3. Request information or records already in existence; [NOTE: The Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions. The Port Authority is not required to supply information that is generated in the future or provide recurring information on a periodic basis.]
  4. Cooperate with the Port Authority’s reasonable requests to clarify the type or amount of information requested
  5. Respond promptly in writing to all written communications from the Port Authority (including concerning any written estimate of charges)
  6. Make a timely payment for all valid charges assessed by the Port Authority
  7. Keep appointments for inspection of records or for pick-up of copies made with the Port Authority

Rights of Requestors
All persons who submit a PIR have the right to:

  1. Receive treatment equal to all other requestors, including receipt of accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, as applicable.
  2. Receive a statement of estimated charges in advance, as provided under the Act
  3. Choose whether to inspect the requested information, receive a copy of the information, or both, as permitted under the Act
  4. Be notified when the Port Authority requests that the Texas Attorney General provide a ruling on whether certain information requested under a PIR may or must be withheld
  5. Be copied on the Port Authority’s written comments to the Texas Attorney General stating the reason(s) why certain stated exceptions apply to the requested information
  6. Lodge a complaint with the Texas Attorney General regarding improper charges for response to a PIR to the General Services Commission for the Office of the Attorney General at (512) 475-2497
  7. Lodge a complaint with the Texas Attorney General or the Nueces County Attorney or the Nueces County District Attorney, as appropriate, regarding any alleged violation of the Act

Rights of the Port Authority in Response to a PIR
Concerning PIRs, the Port Authority has the right to:

  1. Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting or copying information
  2. Request and receive clarification of vague or overly broad PIRs, request that the requestor narrow or define the scope of a PIR, or request that additional time be granted for collecting and providing access to requested information, as applicable
  3. Request a Texas Attorney General ruling, in accordance with the Act, concerning whether any requested information may or must be withheld
  4. Receive timely payment for all copy charges or other permitted charges, as set forth under the Act
  5. Obtain payment for overdue balances exceeding $100 or obtain a security deposit before processing additional requests from the same requestor
  6. Request a bond, prepayment or deposit if estimated costs exceed $100, as described under the Act

Responsibilities of Port Authority concerning a PIR

The Port Authority shall:

  1. Treat requestors equally
  2. Complete Texas open records training, as required by law
  3. Be informed of Texas open records laws and educate applicable employees on the requirements of same
  4. Inform the requestor of any cost estimates and any changes in the estimates, as set forth under the Act
  5. Confirm that requestor agrees to pay applicable costs prior to incurring the costs, pursuant to the Act
  6. Provide requested information promptly, in the manner and timeframes required under the Act
  7. Inform the requestor if any requested information will not be provided within 10 business days, and provide estimated date on which such information will be provided
  8. Cooperate with the requestor to schedule a reasonable time(s) for inspecting/copying information, as applicable
  9. Follow the Texas Attorney General’s applicable rules on charges, including not overcharging on items and not billing for items that must be provided without charge
  10. Inform third parties if a PIR includes information that may have an impact on such third party’s proprietary interests and provide a copy of such notice to requestors, in accordance with the Act [NOTE: A requestor who does not receive a copy of any such letter may request a copy from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, at the address/fax number below.]
  11. Inform the requestor when the Texas Attorney General has been asked to rule on whether certain information may or must be withheld by the Port Authority, which request shall be submitted within 10 business days of the Port Authority’s receipt of the PIR
  12. Copy the requestor on written comments submitted to the Texas Attorney General stating the reasons why the Port Authority believes that the stated exceptions apply, which comments shall be submitted to the Texas Attorney General within 15 business days of the Port Authority’s receipt of the PIR

[NOTE: If any correspondence between the Texas Attorney General and the Port Authority includes the content of certain information requested, the requestor may receive a redacted copy of the letter and/or enclosures/attachments. If the Port Authority does not send the requestor a copy of its letter to the Texas Attorney General, the requestor may request a copy directly from the Texas Attorney General by writing to Public Information Coordinator at the following address:

Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
FAX (512) 494-8017]

  1. Comply with any Texas Attorney General’s ruling on whether an exception applies and/or take such other action as may be permitted or required under the Act
  2. Respond in writing to all written communications from the Texas Attorney General regarding complaints about violations of the Act

Complaints

Requestors who believe that the Port Authority has not properly responded to a PIR as required by the Act, may contact the Texas Attorney General’s Open Records Division Hotline at (512) 478-6736 or toll-free (877) 673-6839 (877 OPEN TEX). If a complaint relates to charges, the requestor may contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Cost Hotline toll-free at (888) 672-6787 (888-ORCOSTS) or forward a written complaint to such office. Certain violations of the Act may involve possible criminal penalties. Such violations must be reported to the Nueces County Attorney’s office or the Nueces County District Attorney’s office. Further information is available at the Texas Attorney General’s website.

For additional information regarding filing a PIR, please contact the Public Information Officer at 361-885-6614.

Breakbulk

 

Dry bulk

 

Liquid Bulk

 

Cargo Docks

 

Wind Energy

 

General Cargo / Dry Bulk

 

Intercoastal Waterways

 

Open Storage / Warehouse