The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) is required to begin collecting data in July 2018 for the 2017 calendar year for agencies that spend at least $100,000 per year on public records requests. JLARC is expected to release guidance to jurisdictions in the next week on the data required and methods for calculating the data for reporting. JLARC is also developing an online portal system that will allow agencies to report the data electronically, which will be available next spring in advance of the July 2018 reporting deadline.
In addition, JLARC has developed a spreadsheet for jurisdictions to help determine if it meets the $100,000 threshold and is required to report the data. Any jurisdiction below the threshold may choose to collect and report the data to JLARC.
In addition, two new technical assistance programs were created:
- The Attorney General’s Office will be providing local governments with technical assistance on public records issues. That program is expected to be available at the end of the year. In the meantime, the AG has created a fact sheet with the options for implementing charges for electronic records and the adoption processes required by the bill. MRSC has begun collecting sample policies that local governments have used to implement these electronic records charge options.
- The state archives office will have a technology grant program for records administration for local governments. Information about the grants and applications is expected soon.