Public Information

The Texas Public Information Act guarantees the public a right to access government records.

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is committed to open government and has staff dedicated to quickly and efficiently responding to public information requests. Our Public Information Officer is your contact for all requests of public information held by the GLO.

All public Information requests must be made in writing. You may use this web form to submit your public information request or write to the physical address shown on this page.

Privacy Policy

Effective (2017), Last revised April 2018

This privacy policy describes how the GLO handles personally identifiable information we collect online and offline (e.g., communication through websites or mobile applications, or at in-person programs and events). 

What information do we collect?

• Contact Information
  We only collect personally identifiable information (e.g., names, addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses) you choose to provide.
• Purchase Information
  If you make a purchase in our online Archive Map Store, your name, address, and physical location information may be collected and stored only for the purposes of delivering the goods or services you purchased and for processing transactions.
• Technical Information
  We analyze server logs for statistical and performance purposes only and do not personally identify website visitors. We use statistics such as time, date, and pages requested to assess the information users are most interested in and identify system performance problems.

How do we collect information?
We collect information you voluntarily submit to us.  Some ways you may submit information include, without limitation:

• Making an Archive Map Store purchase;
• Subscribing to the VLB newsletter;
• Submitting a compliment or complaint through our online form;
• Submitting a contact or information request form; or
• Interacting with us on social media platforms.

Our website does not use "cookies" (small files created by a web server that reside on the user's hard drive) to track specific information and does not collect information through other technological processes.

How do we use the information we collect?
We use information only for the purpose for which it was collected, or as described in this Privacy Policy.

• Responding to inquiries
  We may use your information to respond to your contact or information request.
• Communication and marketing
  If you sign up for a newsletter or text message alerts, we may use your information to provide marketing information on subjects like upcoming land sales, events, and special promotions. We will send communications through email, our website, and text message, if you choose.
  We may also use your personal and/or demographic information for our own internal marketing and demographic studies.  We will not share or sell this information to third parties.
• Other legitimate business purposes
  We may use your information for other legitimate business purposes, as permitted by law, or in the manner communicated to you.
• Compliance with the Public Information Act
  All information a state agency maintains is presumed to be public, subject to specific exceptions in the Public Information Act (Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code) or other law. Email addresses used to communicate with us are confidential and exempted from release without the owner’s consent. Email addresses for vendors and potential vendors are not confidential and may be released according to the Public Information Act.  
  Protected health information is protected from public disclosure by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 181.

Who collects your information and is it shared with anyone?
We collect your information as described herein.  We do not sell this information and only disclose it if the disclosure is legally authorized or required under the Public Information Act or other law.

What safeguards do we use to protect your information?
We use firewall-protected secure servers and secure socket layer (SSL) encryption via the https internet protocol to safeguard information you provide through our website.  In other areas of our website, we provide only the security necessary to maintain our website and provide you information.
Credit card and bank information is captured only by NICUSA, the state’s authorized, secure credit card processor who is compliant with all Payment Card Industry rules and guidelines.

What choices do I have?
You have choices with respect to the collection and use of your personal information:

• You can choose not to voluntarily share information with us.
• You can opt out of marketing emails or text messages by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in the marketing emails and text messages.
• With few exceptions, you are entitled on request to be informed about the information that the GLO has collected about you.
• Under Sections 552.021 and 552.023 of the Government Code, you are entitled to receive and review any information the GLO has collected about you.
• Under Section 559.004 of the Government Code, you are entitled to have the GLO correct information it has collected about you that is incorrect.

Veterans Land Board

The Veterans Land Board (VLB) owns the Texas State Veterans Homes which provide long-term care for Texas Veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents.  The VLB contracts with and oversees third-party operators that manage day-to-day operations of the Texas State Veterans Homes.  The Health Insurance Accountability and Portability Act (HIPAA)  requires the VLB to provide a Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) to all residents of the Texas State Veterans Homes. The NPP explains how the VLB may use and disclose residents’ medical information and lists the rights residents have with respect to their confidential health information.  

• Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)

Children
This website is meant for general audiences over the age of thirteen (13). If you are under age 13 you should not subscribe to any list or provide any information on our website. It you are under age 18 but older than age 13 you may only use this site with involvement of a parent or guardian.

How to contact us:
1700 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701-1495
1.800.998.4GLO (4456) // 512.463.5001
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
Email

Changes to this policy:
We may change this policy at any time, without notice. Any changes will be posted in this privacy policy. Please view this privacy policy each time you view or submit information on our website to make sure you are aware of any changes.

Links & Accessibility

Relay Texas at 1.800.735.2988

GLO TDD at 512.463.5330

Texas General Land Office Links Policy:

Links to third party websites from the GLO website arebased on the following criteria:

• The external website corresponds with the purpose of GLO.
• The site's content is appropriate with respect to the purpose of GLO.
• The site does not
  • exhibit hate, bias, discrimination, pornography, libelous or otherwise defamatory content;
  • advocate or promote the use of alcohol,  tobacco, or currently illegal substances;
  • belong to or support a political affiliation; or
  • further the agenda of a political organization or candidate running for office.

The GLO complies with the link policies established by the Department of Information Resources for all state agencies.

If you have any issues accessing this site please contact our Accessibility Coordinator.

Texas General Land Office Accessibility Policy:

The Texas General Land Office is committed to making its website accessible to all users. To make the site more accessible, we include features designed to improve accessibility for users with disabilities.  Two examples of these features are described below.

• A descriptive text equivalent is provided for images and other non-text elements, aiding users who listen to the content of the site by using a screen reader, rather than reading the site.
• Major reports and other publications that are on the website are in formats compatible with common assistive technologies. Alternative formats may be made available upon request.

The GLO is committed to website availability for all of our customers and follows the guidelines for accessibility defined by DIR guidelines. The agency has an IT accessibility coordinator who can assist customers with any accessibility questions or needs. Requests for exceptions to the policy are handled in accordance with TAC 213, rule 17. Documentation associated with such requests are maintained by the GLO Information Systems administration division.

The GLO welcomes comments on how to improve the site's accessibility for users with disabilities. If you use assistive technology and the format of any material available from the General Land Office interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact us. To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of your accessibility problem, the preferred format in which to receive the material, the Web address of the requested material, and your contact information.

Additional information about accessibility programs in Texas is available from the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities.

Standards for Compliance:

The General Land Office ensures accessibility to all digital media regardless of individual ability, by keeping informed of current accessibility practices and conducting testing of all content at time of posting to the website. We achieve verification of the website's conformance with Section 508 by means of various automated testing tools.

SMS Terms & Conditions

Effective April 2018
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) offers a subscription text messaging program in support of our Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) programs and services, including forfeited land sales, upcoming events, and special limited-time promotions.    

Message Frequency:
We will send you one to two text messages per month.  You may opt out at any time.

Privacy:
Please scroll up within this page to view our website privacy policy, which governs how the GLO/VLB handles your information.

Cost and Participation:
This service is free; however, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply.  Subject to your mobile carrier’s terms and conditions, you may receive text messages sent to your mobile phone.  Please consult your mobile carrier for pricing information.
You do not have to consent to receive marketing text messages to participate in VLB programs or receive VLB services.

Supported Carriers:
Supported carriers may change from time to time, but currently include AT&T, Sprint, Boost, Virgin, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, and Verizon, among others.
T-Mobile is not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

How to Opt-In:
Text “JOIN” to the 5-digit number associated with the text program for which you want to start receiving text messages. We will send you a message confirming your enrollment in the text messaging program. By replying “Yes” you provide express written consent to receive VLB marketing text messages.

How to Opt-Out:
To stop receiving text messages from a VLB text messaging program, text “STOP” to the five-digit number associated with that program (i.e., the five digit number from which its text messages are sent).  We will send you a message confirming your opt-out of the text messaging program.  This will only opt you out of the text messaging program associated with that five-digit number. 

Automated Dialing System
We may use an automatic dialing system to deliver text messages to you. By subscribing to the one-time text message program or the subscription text message program, you consent to VLB using an automatic dialing system to deliver text messages to the telephone number you used to subscribe to the program(s).

Support/Help
To request more information about a VLB text messaging program, text “HELP” to the five-digit number associated with that program (i.e., the five-digit number from which its text messages are sent).  You may also request help by calling (800) 252-8387 or emailing us at vlbinfo@GLO.Texas.gov.