This bill amends the right-to-know law by eliminating fees and charges associated with governmental records, specifically removing the provisions that allowed public bodies to charge for the inspection or delivery of records. The bill also repeals sections of the law that previously established fees for records provided, thereby ensuring that no additional costs beyond the actual cost of copying will be incurred by requestors. Furthermore, it reinstates potential liability for public bodies or agencies that disclose information exempt from disclosure, reversing previous protections that shielded them from civil action damages under certain conditions.

The changes made by this bill are significant as they aim to enhance public access to governmental records while also holding agencies accountable for improper disclosures. The removal of fees is expected to lead to an indeterminable decrease in revenue for state, county, and local governments that previously charged for records, while the reinstatement of liability could result in increased legal costs for these entities if they fail to adequately protect exempt information. Overall, the bill seeks to promote transparency in government operations while ensuring that public bodies are responsible for their handling of sensitive information.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 91-A:4