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The FOI Advocate is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The blog relies on the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. We will correct errors and inaccuracies when we become aware of them.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Florida Bill Proposes Significant Public Records Reform

A proposed "Open Government Act" could make it easier to get public records in Florida. The result of Gov. Charlie Crist's Commission on Open Government, the measure would be a sweeping move toward transparency in government.

The Palm Beach Post reports the bill would:
  • Require government officials to get training in open records and meetings.
  • Bar agencies from charging for copies of records that take less than 30 minutes to duplicate.
  • Prohibit agencies from charging for redaction of information that is personal in nature and exempt from public records laws and prohibit charging for any redaction fees of any records after Jan. 1, 2013.
  • Require that all new exemptions be reviewed every 10 years after the initial five-year-review currently required by state law.
  • Set uniform penalties, and attorneys' fees, for public records violations.
  • Give circuit court judges jurisdiction to issue injunctions to enforce open records laws.
Read more about it here.
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