MS SB2734

Requires public bodies using sensitive or proprietary software to maintain public access to records, either by providing the software or creating electronic copies in common formats like CSV or tab-delimited files.

Mandates that staff time and contractual services costs for responding to public records requests be calculated at the pay scale of the lowest-level competent employee or contractor.

Adds civil penalty liability for public officials who charge unreasonable fees for providing public records, with damages up to $100 per violation plus expenses.

Clarifies that requests for partial data fields or redactions to protect privacy are not considered requests for a different format than records are normally stored.

Takes effect July 1, 2012.