Bill > AB1821

This bill modifies the California Public Records Act to establish clearer procedures for submitting public records requests and to adjust response times and fees. It requires state and local agencies to designate specific physical office locations and email addresses for receiving requests, and allows for other reasonable submission methods, but deems requests improperly submitted if not made through an agency-approved channel, which could delay response timelines. For requests deemed to be for "commercial use" (meaning for profit or trade), requesters will now have to pay fees for the agency's search and review time, in addition to duplication costs, though certain entities like educational institutions, scientific organizations, government agencies, and news media representatives are exempt from this commercial use fee. The bill also allows agencies to petition courts to determine if a request was made with malicious intent, and if so, to impose search and review fees on the requester, suspending the agency's response duty during such proceedings. Furthermore, the bill changes the response timeframe from 10 calendar days to 10 business days and allows for extensions of up to 14 business days, also in business days, for agencies to determine if records are disclosable and to notify the requester. The legislation includes findings that these changes are necessary to balance public access with the agencies' ability to manage requests effectively and receive appropriate compensation for their work.