Bill > HB3412

This bill modifies the West Virginia public records law by making several changes to definitions and creating a new exemption for the legislative branch. Specifically, the bill revises existing definitions of terms like "custodian," "law-enforcement officer," "public body," "public record," and "writing" in the state code. The most significant new provision is the addition of a legislative exemption section that allows the Legislative branch to be exempt from public records disclosure requirements if it adopts its own rules governing the release of public records. This means that the legislature can create its own independent guidelines for transparency and record disclosure, potentially different from the standard state public records law. The bill maintains the broad definitions of public bodies and records while providing the legislative branch with more autonomy in managing its own records and potential disclosure practices.

Government Affairs

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=3412&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill