Bill > H0502

This bill seeks to modify Vermont's Public Records Act to allow public agencies to charge requestors the actual staff time costs associated with processing public records requests. Currently, public records requests often require government agencies to spend staff time locating, reviewing, and preparing documents, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. By permitting agencies to recover these direct labor costs, the bill aims to offset the administrative burden of fulfilling public records requests while still maintaining the principle of government transparency. The proposed change would enable agencies to bill requestors for the precise amount of staff time spent responding to their records request, helping to defray the expenses involved in complying with public records law without creating undue financial barriers to accessing government information.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.502