MS SB2849

Limits fees charged by public bodies for providing public records to the actual cost of searching, reviewing, duplicating, and mailing, with no markup allowed.

Prohibits inclusion of costs paid to non-employees in the actual cost calculation, and requires staff time to be charged at the pay scale of the lowest-level competent employee.

Allows a separate standard fee scale for geographic information systems, multipurpose cadastres, and electronically accessible data based on creation, acquisition, and maintenance costs, considering information type, purpose, and commercial value.

Establishes a civil penalty of up to $100 per violation plus reasonable expenses for persons who deny access to public records or charge unreasonable fees.

Effective date: July 1, 2012.