A Texas court has dismissed a petition filed by Tania Mayleth Vargas-Lopez, who sought to compel the University of Texas System to release certain public records. The Texas Court of Appeals, 13th District, ruled on July 6, 2026, that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case. This decision affects Vargas-Lopez and potentially others seeking public information from government entities in Texas.
The case, known as In Re Tania Mayleth Vargas-Lopez v. the State of Texas, was filed under docket number 13-26-00513-CV. Vargas-Lopez, representing herself, filed a petition for a writ of mandamus under the Texas Public Information Act. The Act allows individuals to request access to public records held by government agencies. However, the court determined that it could not grant her request.
The dispute arose when Vargas-Lopez requested certain records from the University of Texas System. When the university did not comply with her request, she sought legal recourse through the court. The Texas Public Information Act gives individuals the right to file a lawsuit to compel disclosure of public records, but it specifies where such petitions must be filed.
The Texas Court of Appeals, led by Justice Jenny Cron, examined the petition and ultimately ruled that it did not have the authority to hear the case. The court stated, “The Act does not grant jurisdiction to issue such writs of mandamus to the appellate courts.” Instead, the law requires that petitions for writs of mandamus under the Act must be filed in a district court located in the county where the governmental body is based.
In its opinion, the court referenced the Texas Constitution, which outlines the jurisdiction of appellate courts. It noted that while the Texas Government Code allows intermediate appellate courts to issue writs of mandamus against specific judges, it does not extend this authority to public information requests against governmental bodies.
Justice Cron emphasized that the proper venue for Vargas-Lopez's petition was a district court, stating, “a petition for writ of mandamus filed by a requestor under the Act must be filed in a district court for the county in which the main offices of the governmental body are located.” This ruling clarifies the procedural requirements for individuals seeking to enforce their rights under the Texas Public Information Act.
The dismissal of Vargas-Lopez's petition for lack of jurisdiction highlights the importance of following the correct legal procedures when seeking public records. This ruling may impact other individuals who wish to file similar petitions, reminding them to file in the appropriate district court rather than an appellate court.
Going forward, this decision reinforces the jurisdictional boundaries set by Texas law regarding public information requests. It serves as a reminder that individuals must adhere to specific procedures when seeking access to government records. The ruling may also prompt discussions about the accessibility of public records and the processes involved in obtaining them.
As for what’s next for Vargas-Lopez, she may choose to file her petition in the appropriate district court, as indicated by the appellate court's ruling. There are no indications in the opinion that further appeals are possible at this stage, as the court has already dismissed her case for lack of jurisdiction. Details were not available in the court filing regarding any related cases or future actions by Vargas-Lopez.