SB165 - Alabama Public Records Act Summary

• Repeals existing public records law (Sections 36-12-40 and 36-12-41) and establishes a new comprehensive Alabama Public Records Act granting citizens the right to inspect and copy public records.

• Creates a Public Access Counselor position within the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to handle administrative appeals, issue advisory opinions, and grant extension requests for record custodians.

• Establishes procedures requiring governmental bodies to respond to public records requests within 14 calendar days and defines extensive exemptions including personal privacy information, confidential business information, law enforcement investigative reports, and scholastic records.

• Sets fees for copying records with specific limits ($.20 per page for black and white copies, $.75 per page for color) and establishes civil penalties ranging from $75-$3,500 per day for non-compliance without reasonable justification.

• Creates administrative appeal process before the Public Access Counselor and judicial enforcement in circuit court with de novo review, including provisions for $100 payment to requestors when records are improperly withheld.