Bill S.114, introduced by Senator Brennan, aims to amend Vermont's Public Records Act to allow public agencies to charge for the actual cost of staff time when complying with requests to inspect or copy public records. The bill includes several key insertions, such as provisions for charging for staff time if the request exceeds 30 minutes, the establishment of a uniform schedule of charges by the Secretary of State, and the requirement for public agencies to utilize their own equipment for copying records. Additionally, it specifies that public records must be available in standard formats, and agencies may create rules to ensure the security and preservation of these records.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of political subdivisions in setting their own charges for public records, which must align with the factors used by the Secretary of State. It clarifies that any charges collected by state agencies will be retained to cover the actual costs incurred, rather than being deposited into the General Fund. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1-316