This bill aims to enhance the management and accessibility of local government records by establishing a publicly accessible website for the storage and public access of electronic records. Key provisions include the designation of a website by the state archivist, with the approval of the municipal records board, for retaining local electronic records. The bill also authorizes the local government records manager to employ specialists to assist in the development and maintenance of this website. Additionally, it allows municipalities to store electronic records on this designated website without the need to keep additional copies, provided they offer at least one cost-free method for public access.

To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, specifically for the creation and maintenance of the website and the local government records manager position, which has remained unfilled due to lack of funding. The bill also includes amendments to existing laws, such as RSA 5:35 and RSA 91-A:4, to incorporate the new requirements for public access to records and the responsibilities of the local government records manager. Notably, it deletes certain outdated provisions related to grants for local government records management improvement, streamlining the focus on electronic records management.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 5:35, 5:49, 33-A:5-a, 91-A:4
As Amended by the House: 5:35, 5:49, 33-A:5-a, 91-A:4
As Amended by the Senate (2nd): 5:35, 5:49, 33-A:5-a, 91-A:4