Bill > HB2347

This bill modifies Missouri's sunshine law (a public records access law) by adding a specific exemption for state legislators regarding fees associated with public records requests. The bill amends existing law to state that members of the general assembly shall be exempt from paying most fees related to public records requests, with one exception: public governmental bodies may charge for the material cost of paper copies if physical copies are requested. The bill maintains existing provisions about fee structures for public records requests, which include limitations on copying costs (such as ten cents per page for standard paper copies) and allowances for charging staff time for research and duplication. This change effectively means that state legislators can request public records without being charged for the labor involved in retrieving and processing those records, though they might still need to pay for actual paper or material costs. The bill aims to potentially make it easier for legislators to access public information without incurring significant expenses, which could facilitate government transparency and information gathering.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2347&year=2026&code=R