S.C.R. NO. 106 - Summary

• Requests the Office of Information Practices to conduct a trial program using a randomly selected subset of incoming public appeals under the Uniform Information Practices Act and Sunshine Law.

• For appeals in the random selection, the Office must prepare short, informal, non-enforceable guidance within two weeks of receiving final agency responses, with formal enforceable rulings to follow at a later time if needed.

• Requires the Office to submit a report to the Legislature 20 days before the 2020 Regular Session comparing outcomes and staff workload impacts between the trial process and standard appeal procedures.

• If the trial process improves outcomes and positively impacts staff workload, the Office is requested to adopt it as standard practice going forward.

• Addresses the Office's backlog by testing alternative procedures as a cost-effective alternative to hiring three new positions estimated to cost $345,000 annually.