Bill > S0114

This bill amends Vermont's Public Records Act to provide clearer guidelines for how public agencies can charge for the costs associated with responding to public records requests. Specifically, the bill allows public agencies to charge for staff time spent fulfilling records requests under certain conditions: when the time spent exceeds 30 minutes, when the agency agrees to create a new public record, or when the agency provides a record in a non-standard format and the work takes more than 30 minutes. The Secretary of State is tasked with establishing a uniform schedule of charges for state agencies, considering only actual costs like paper, equipment maintenance, and utility expenses. Political subdivisions (like local governments) must also establish their own charge schedules through public hearings, using similar cost-calculation principles. The bill requires agencies to provide receipts for charges and allows them to retain monies collected that represent actual costs incurred. Additionally, the bill clarifies that agencies are not required to create new records or convert formats they don't already use, and they can make reasonable rules to protect records and prevent operational disruptions. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing agencies time to prepare their new charging procedures.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.114