Gov. Kay Ivey orders state agencies to respond to requests for public records
By Mike Cason, AL.com, January 26, 2023
Gov. Kay Ivey issued an executive order today that she said would improve access to public records maintained by state agencies. “Access to public records is essential to guaranteeing transparency in government, and I am proud to sign this executive order that improves this process as a whole,” the governor said. Read the order.
The order requires all executive branch agencies to post a public records page on their websites that includes a records request form. It requires agencies to designate a public records coordinator to help people with requests. The order requires agencies to acknowledge receipt of a request within two business days. The order sets deadlines for when agencies must provide substantive responses depending on the nature of requests.
Alabama Press Association Executive Director Felicia Mason said the new policy will be a major improvement.
Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who has sponsored bills to strengthen the public records law, said the governor’s order would help but that legislation is still needed.
Orr said he is working with the APA and the League of Women Voters of Alabama on developing a bill for this year’s legislative session, which begins in March. Orr said the bill is needed partly because the governor’s order does not apply to local government entities, such as city and town councils, county commissions, and local boards of education.
