Bill

Bill > S3828


NJ S3828

NJ S3828
Establishes Open Public Records Act Review Committee.


summary

Introduced
05/11/2023
In Committee
05/11/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2024

Introduced Session

2022-2023 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes an 11 member committee, to be known as the Open Public Records Act Review Committee. The study committee will examine how the open public records act, OPRA, is implemented and utilized in actual day-to-day situations. At a minimum, the committee will: review OPRA and examine how the statute compares with actual operation and use; evaluate OPRA in relation to increased crimes against public officials and societal changes in general; analyze how OPRA requests are balanced with the right to privacy; examine how OPRA has been used for commercial, marketing, business, and research purposes; research and review complaints regarding the use of OPRA to harass and obstruct government agencies; consider such other matters relating to OPRA as the members of the committee may deem appropriate; consider the feasibility of amending OPRA to limit requests for commercial purposes, provide records custodians additional time to respond to open public records requests, redact the personal information of minors, and revise the fees, fines, and penalties structure for a more balanced and modernized law; and make such other recommendations for legislation or such other action as it deems appropriate with regard to improving, expanding, and facilitating OPRA. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor within one year of its initial organizational meeting. The committee will expire 30 days after submission of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor.

AI Summary

This bill establishes an 11-member "Open Public Records Act (OPRA) Review Committee" to examine how OPRA, New Jersey's public records law, is implemented and utilized in practice. The committee will review OPRA, evaluate it in relation to increased crimes against public officials and societal changes, analyze how OPRA requests are balanced with privacy rights, examine OPRA's use for commercial and other purposes, and research complaints about OPRA being used to harass and obstruct government agencies. The committee will also consider amending OPRA to limit commercial requests, provide more time for records custodians to respond, redact minors' personal information, and revise the fee and penalty structure. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Governor within one year of its initial meeting, after which it will expire.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 05/11/2023)

Taxonomy

Civil Rights, Minority Issues, and Civil Liberties
  • ‐ Right to Privacy and Access to Government Information
Government Operations
  • ‐ Government Transparency and Open Records

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Document Type Source Location Created
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/S3828 05/08/2023
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2022/S4000/3828_I1.HTM 05/12/2023
Loading...