The format and fees for obtaining copies of public records

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Currently, unless otherwise provided by law, any requester has a right to receive a copy of a public record that appears in written form. In addition, a requester is specifically permitted to obtain a copy of a record that is not in a readily comprehensible form reduced to written form on paper, and a requester may also obtain a transcript in lieu of a record that is recorded on audio tape, and may obtain a photograph of a record the form of which does not permit copying. This bill clarifies, in addition, that unless otherwise provided by law, a requester is entitled to receive a copy of a public record the form of which permits copying in the same format in which the record is maintained by its custodian, regardless of whether the record appears in written form.

Currently, the maximum fees that a governmental unit or officer may charge for obtaining copies of a public record are prescribed by law, unless a specific law prescribes the fee for obtaining a copy of a particular record or authorizes a governmental unit or officer to prescribe a fee for obtaining a copy of a particular record. The fact that a governmental unit or officer enters into a contract with a private person under which records are produced or collected does not change the law. This bill provides that if a public record is produced or collected by a private person pursuant to a contract entered into by a governmental unit or officer with that person, the authorized fees for obtaining a copy of the record may not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction or transcription of the record incurred by the person who makes the reproduction or transcription, unless a fee is otherwise established or authorized to be established by law.

Who's behind it

5 representatives are its authors⁠. 4 are Democrats and 1 is a Republican.

3 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment AA1-AB638
• LC Amendment Memo