Senate Bill No. SLS 24RS-1448, introduced by Senator Cloud, amends existing public records law to enhance the protection of records related to the security of the governor and his family. The bill specifically prohibits access to any records in the governor's office that contain security details which, if disclosed, could jeopardize the safety of the governor, his spouse, or children. Additionally, it establishes an exception to the public records law for records that reflect advisory opinions, recommendations, and deliberations involved in the formulation of governmental decisions and policies. This aims to safeguard the deliberative process and encourage open communication among public servants without the fear of public scrutiny.

The bill also emphasizes the importance of protecting the deliberative process, which has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court and various courts, as a means to foster uninhibited discussions within government agencies. It clarifies that while certain records are exempt from public access, this does not infringe upon the public's right to observe the deliberations of public bodies as defined by the Open Meetings Law. The provisions of the bill will take effect on August 1, 2024, and it repeals a specific section of the current law that is no longer deemed necessary.

Statutes affected:
SB482 Original: 44:5(B)(4)
SB482 Engrossed: 44:1(A), 44:5(B)(4)