HI SB720

Amends the definition of "government record" to exclude truly preliminary records such as personal notes and rough drafts of memoranda that have not been circulated.

Adds a new exception (§92F-13(6)) to mandatory disclosure of government records for inter-agency or intra-agency deliberative and pre-decisional records concerning agency decisions, with a rebuttable presumption that deliberation is abandoned if two years have elapsed since the records request.

Allows withholding of names, titles, and identifying information of public officials or employees who lack discretionary authority, did not make the decision, and are not under investigation for wrongdoing related to the decision.

Requires agencies to report their use of the new deliberative records exception to the Office of Information Practices from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027, including the text of requests and agency notices to requesters.

Board packets as defined by section 92-7.5 are excluded from the deliberative records exemption and remain subject to disclosure requirements.