HB 4386 Summary

• Designates sections 1-16 of the Freedom of Information Act as "Part 1" and renames the act the "Freedom of Information and Legislative Open Records Act"

• Removes exemptions for the governor's office, lieutenant governor's office, and their employees from FOIA requirements, making them subject to public records disclosure

• Adds definitions for cybersecurity-related terms (cybersecurity assessment, incident, plan, vulnerability) and clarifies that field names in databases are not considered exempt software

• Establishes procedures for FOIA coordinators to manage records requests, including specific fee calculation methods, deposit requirements, and timelines for responses (5 business days initial response, with up to 10-day extension allowable)

• Creates appeal processes for denied records requests and fee disputes, with penalties of $1,000-$7,500 civil fines and attorneys' fees available to requestors prevailing in court against public bodies that arbitrarily deny access or charge excessive fees