Sec. 134.031. CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) Information pertaining to coal seams, test borings, core samplings, or soil samples required by Section 134.052 shall be made available to an affected person. However, information that pertains only to the analysis of the chemical and physical properties of the coal, except information regarding mineral or chemical content that is potentially toxic in the environment, is confidential and is not a public record.

(b) Information submitted to the commission concerning mineral deposits, test borings, core samplings, or trade secrets or commercial or financial information relating to the competitive rights of the applicant and specifically identified as confidential by the applicant, if not essential for public review as determined by the commission, may not be disclosed by a member, agent, or employee of the commission.

(c) Information submitted to the commission under Section 134.041 concerning mineral deposits, test borings, core samplings, or trade secrets or commercial or financial information relating to the competitive rights of the applicant and specifically identified as confidential by the applicant, if not essential for public review as determined by the commission, may not be disclosed by a member, agent, or employee of the commission. However, information required by another section that must, by the terms of the other section, be on public file or available to an affected person and information about the chemical and physical properties of the coal that relate to mineral or elemental contents that are potentially toxic in the environment is not confidential.

(d) Information submitted to the commission under Section 134.014 as confidential concerning trade secrets or privileged commercial or financial information that relates to the competitive rights of the person intending to explore the described area is not available for public examination.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 12.02(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.