AWC’s two priority bills on public records, HB 1594 and HB 1595, have been scheduled for public hearing in the House State Government Committee on February 10 at 10 am.

Please talk to your local legislators and members of the Committee and urge them to support these two proposals. For more information you can use our public records issue brief.

HB 1595

• Amends the PRA to allow cities to charge a small fee for providing copies of electronic records.
• Creates the ability for cities to deny overwhelming computer generated “bot” requests.
• Prohibits overly broad requests for all of a city’s records.
• Creates a way for cities to apply a service charge to exceptionally complex requests.

HB 1594

• Requires training for records officers to address issues of retention, production and disclosure of electronic records.
• Creates a grant program within the Office of the Secretary of State for local governments to improve their public record management systems.
• Establishes a program within the Office of the Attorney General to consult with local governments on public records best practices.
• Creates a study on the feasibility of establishing a statewide open records portal.
• Provides for mediation between a city and a requestor when there is disagreement on a request.