CS/HB 1151 Summary

• Public records requests need not be made in writing unless otherwise required by law; if a written request is required, the custodian must provide the statutory citation to the requester.

• Agencies may charge a reasonable special service charge for extensive use of information technology resources or clerical/supervisory assistance, limited to the actual cost incurred and based on the lowest paid personnel capable of providing the service, excluding employer-paid benefits.

• Each public agency contract with a contractor must require compliance with public records laws, including keeping records accessible to the public at the same cost as the agency, and transferring all records to the agency at no cost upon contract termination.

• All agency employees must receive training on public records requirements commensurate with their job duties.

• A party filing an enforcement action for public records violations against a state agency is not required to serve the Department of Financial Services; instead, the agency must notify the department so it may join the defense; similar provisions apply to actions against boards or commissions.