This bill amends sections 84-712 and 84-712.01 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to enhance access to public records by prohibiting fees for official requests made by members of the Legislature. It establishes a deadline for fulfilling such requests, mandating that custodians provide an estimate of expected costs and access to records within four business days of receiving a request. The bill also clarifies that no fees shall be charged for requests made by legislators, ensuring that they can access public records without financial barriers.

Additionally, the bill harmonizes existing provisions regarding public records access and outlines the responsibilities of custodians in providing copies of records. It specifies that while fees may be charged for non-legislative requests, these fees should not include charges for the first eight hours of labor for residents of Nebraska. The bill aims to promote transparency and facilitate the examination of public records by both legislators and the public, reinforcing the principle that access to government information is a fundamental right.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 84-712, 84-712.01