Senate Bill No. 1229 seeks to amend existing laws related to the fees for copying, reviewing, and redacting records generated by police body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill introduces new definitions, such as "requesting party," "involved person," and "redact," and mandates that police officers use body-worn recording equipment during public interactions. It establishes protocols for the review and public disclosure of recordings, allowing officers to review recordings related to their actions before public release, particularly in cases involving the use of force. The bill also specifies that public disclosure may be delayed for up to 144 hours if an officer cannot review the recording due to medical or psychological reasons and outlines situations where recording is prohibited.

Additionally, the bill modifies the fee structure for redaction, allowing public agencies to charge for redaction labor after the first four hours, capped at $100 per hour based on the lowest-paid employee qualified for the task. It prohibits charging fees to involved persons in specific incidents, such as police misconduct cases. The bill also repeals and replaces existing language regarding fees for copies of public records, setting a maximum of 25 cents per page for state agencies and 50 cents for other public agencies. It mandates that agencies maintain unredacted originals of any redacted records and allows the Freedom of Information Commission to order refunds for violations. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and aims to enhance transparency while protecting individual privacy rights.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-6d
GAE Joint Favorable: 29-6d
File No. 128: 29-6d