COMMUNICATIONS WITH PARLIAMENTARIANS.

(a) Communications, including conversations, correspondence, and electronic communications, between a member, officer, or employee of the legislative branch and a parliamentarian appointed by the presiding officer of either house that relate to a request by the member, officer, or employee for information, advice, or opinions from a parliamentarian are confidential and subject to legislative privilege. Information, advice, and opinions given privately by a parliamentarian to a member, officer, or employee of the legislative branch, acting in the member's, officer's, or employee's official capacity, are confidential and subject to legislative privilege. However, the member, officer, or employee of the legislative branch may choose to disclose all or a part of the communications, information, advice, or opinions to which this section applies, and such disclosure does not violate the law of this state.

(b) Records relating to requests made of a parliamentarian appointed under Subsection (a) for assistance, information, advice, or opinion are not public information and are not subject to Chapter 552.

(c) In this section:

(1) "Member, officer, or employee of the legislative branch" includes:

(A) a member, member-elect, or officer of either house of the legislature or of a legislative committee;

(B) an employee of the legislature, including an employee of a legislative agency, office, or committee; and

(C) the lieutenant governor.

(2) "Parliamentarian" includes an employee of a parliamentarian.