The bill S.114, introduced by Senator Brennan, amends the Vermont Public Records Act to allow public agencies to charge for the actual cost of staff time associated with requests to inspect or copy public records. Key provisions include the ability for agencies to charge for staff time if the request exceeds 30 minutes, if the agency agrees to create a public record, or if the record is provided in a nonstandard format. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State establish a uniform schedule of charges for public records, including the costs associated with staff time, and requires political subdivisions to do the same after a public hearing.

Other notable changes include the stipulation that public agencies must use their own equipment for copying records and that standard formats for copies are defined. The bill also emphasizes that if an agency maintains records electronically, they must be available in both standard electronic and paper formats. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1-316