HB4056

THE CONTEXT: Public bodies and the officers of public bodies must maintain all records reasonably necessary or appropriate to maintain an accurate knowledge of their official activities and any other activities that are supported by monies from the state or a state political subdivision. Public records and other matters in the custody of any officer of a public body must be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would declares any legislator who makes a public records request in their official capacity may not be charged a fee and is not responsible for any cost related to the public records request and require any public records provided to a legislator who makes a public records request in their official capacity to be made available in any format requested by the legislator.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make the government process for legislators more definite and accountable. It would declares any legislator who makes a public records request in their official capacity may not be charged a fee and is not responsible for any cost related to the public records request, and would also require any public records provided to a legislator who makes a public records request in their official capacity to be made available in any format requested by the legislator, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.