MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Senate on Thursday advanced legislation aimed at strengthening the state’s weak open records law by setting deadlines to respond to requests to view public documents.
Senators voted 29-0 for the legislation. The bill now moves to the House.
“Right now, under current law, it’s the wild west. We don’t have timelines for governments or universities to respond in due time,” Republican Sen. Arthur Orr, the bill’s sponsor, said.
Alabama’s public records law says any citizen has the right to inspect and take copies of public writings, except for those exempted by law. However, it does not provide deadlines for responses.
The legislation would require a public records officer to acknowledge the receipt of a simple request within 10 days and then “provide a substantive response” to the request within 15 additional business days. Public entities would be given more time to respond to requests that would require more than eight hours of work to fulfill.
Barcelona to get floating desalination plant to help fight drought in northeastern Spain
Commentary: CIFTIS opens door of cooperation wider for shared benefit
Anqing developed agriculture and ecological breeding industries to expand income
Qiongzhou Strait faced peak of return travel during Spring Festival migration
Zara Tindall and her husband Mike share a loved
Disturbing rise in teenage boys demanding rough sex and choking girls as young as 12
Waiting for the collapse of the 'China collapse' prediction
Painting new picture for Asian Games, creating better future for Asia
Arkansas Supreme Court says new DNA testing can be sought in 'West Memphis 3' case
3rd Belt and Road Forum will be a landmark event: Pakistani expert
Virginia school bus hits DMV building, injures driver and two students, officials say
Does the U.S. See Pacific Island Countries As True Partners?