The bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes concerning public records, particularly redefining "actual cost of duplication" to include clerical and supervisory assistance and technology resources, while excluding overhead costs. It mandates that custodians of public records must promptly acknowledge requests and respond in good faith within three business days; failure to do so prevents agencies from imposing costs for the requested records. Additionally, custodians are required to provide written justifications for any claimed exemptions and cannot charge fees for redacting exempt information. The bill also prohibits fees for certain public records requests and requires agencies to provide records in specified formats, along with detailed cost estimates upon request.

Moreover, the legislation introduces civil and criminal penalties for violations of public records access, categorizing them as noncriminal infractions with fines up to $500. It ensures that courts must award reasonable attorney fees to complainants who successfully enforce their rights against agencies that unlawfully deny access to public records. The bill also emphasizes the need for periodic review of exemptions from public records requirements, ensuring legislative oversight. It is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 770 Filed: 119.011, 119.07, 119.10, 119.12, 921.0022