AL SB270

Amends Alabama Code Sections 36-12-40 and 36-12-41 to change "citizen" to "resident" and establish comprehensive procedures for public records requests.

Establishes two types of requests: standard requests (requiring less than 8 hours of staff time) and time-intensive requests (requiring more than 8 hours), with public officers required to acknowledge standard requests within 10 days and provide substantive responses within 15 business days.

Requires public officers to respond to time-intensive requests within 15 business days of acknowledgment, with substantive response within 45 business days after requester elects to proceed, with both timelines extendable in specified increments.

Defines "resident" as individuals permanently domiciled in Alabama and allows public officers discretion to respond to nonresident requests; exempts judicial branch and Article VI constitutional offices from requirements.

Allows public officers to charge reasonable fees for records requests, require standard request forms, and deny vague, overly broad, or nonexistent records; exempts critical infrastructure and security information from disclosure.

Becomes effective October 1, 2024.