SPONSOR: Falkner
This bill allows for the closure of certain records under the Sunshine law.
This bill authorizes a public governmental body to close records that contain individually identifiable information, including email addresses and telephone numbers, submitted to the body by individuals or entities for the sole purpose of receiving electronic or other communications, as specified in the bill.
This bill also authorizes the closure of public records that may be used to individually identify a constituent of the public body. The bill defines the term "constituent" to exclude a lobbyist or lobbyist principal, a statewide elected official, or an elected official of a political subdivision, or an employee of such elected official.
The bill authorizes the closing of records held by political subdivisions containing individually identifiable information of a minor, or the minor's parent or legal guardian.
Further, any record may be closed that is retained in the office of a member of the General Assembly, or employees of the General Assembly, that contain information regarding proposed legislation or the legislative process. These authorizations to close records shall not apply if the record has been offered in a public meeting of either house of the General Assembly or if the record was addressed to, or from, a lobbyist or lobbyist principal.
This bill is similar to HB 1059, SB 174, and HB 394 (2023).
Statutes affected: