AL HB521

Secretary of the Senate shall establish procedures to implement and maintain a legislative record concerning matters related to the legislative process.

Legislative record shall include verbatim copies of committee discussions, committee reports and votes, floor debates, public hearing discussions, and member statements explaining votes or actions.

Record may be published as part of the journal, as a separate publication, or in digital or computer form, similar to the U.S. Congressional Record.

Secretary shall consider cost effectiveness, accessibility, usefulness, accuracy, and historical preservation purposes when establishing the record.

Secretary shall compile, index, and publish the legislative record within a reasonable time after each legislative session ends and may charge a reasonable fee to defray publication costs.