Bill would require public agencies across Alabama to respond to public records requests

A state senator has filed a bill that would require public agencies to respond to public records requests.

The bill, SB 196, sponsored by Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would require that requests for public records receive an acknowledgement within six business days. The office would have 16 business days to make a decision to approve, deny or deny in part the request. If denied, the agency would need to provide a reason.

Orr has filed similar bills in the past, but lawmakers have historically sided with small government organizations and their concerns over dealing with bad faith requests.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed an executive order earlier this year requiring state agencies to respond to requests and limiting the fees that can be charged for reproducing documents.

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