SB237 - Alabama Open Records Act Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Open Records Act to provide citizens with statutory rights to inspect and copy public records held by governmental bodies during regular office hours.

• Creates the Office of the Public Access Counselor within the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to conduct research, issue advisory opinions, respond to inquiries, and issue formal administrative findings on public records disputes.

• Sets copy fees at no more than $0.10 per page for black and white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14"), $0.15 per page for two-sided copies, and $0.50 per page for color copies, with charges for certified copies up to $1.00 per page for the first 10 pages.

• Requires governmental bodies to respond to public records requests within five working days with the option of an additional seven-day extension if practically impossible, with failure to respond deemed a denial of the request.

• Establishes an administrative appeal process with the Public Access Counselor and judicial review in circuit court, with civil penalties ranging from $75 per day to $3,500 per violation and attorneys' fees available to prevailing parties.