Bill > S1633

This bill aims to improve public access to government records by clarifying what constitutes a public record, even if it's part of an electronic file that can be separately retrieved, and by requiring state agencies to designate specific employees, known as records access officers, to handle public record requests. These officers will be responsible for assisting requesters in identifying and obtaining records, ensuring agencies inform requesters if records are available electronically and how they are stored, and helping to focus requests if they are too broad to be fulfilled efficiently. Agencies will also need to maintain and post a document classification scheme outlining the types of records they hold. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that fees for copying public records should not exceed the actual cost of reproduction, with specific limitations on employee time charged and a cap on photocopy costs, and importantly, it prohibits charging fees for searching for records or for the time spent reviewing records to remove confidential information. Finally, if a person has to go to court to obtain public records and wins their case, the court may award them reasonable attorney's fees.