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.
Former drug dealer given second chance as dealer of pre
'It has taken us time to explain to George, Charlotte and Louis
Time for some Royal R&R! King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in Aberdeen for a restful
Kansas adds AJ Storr after he led Wisconsin in scoring this season
What would open warfare between Israel and Iran look like? How tit
Family use a drone to find their lost dog... and find it playing with a family of wild BEARS!
From deep sadness to dazzling pomp, 15 key revelations from the must
Caitlin Clark fans won't receive Indiana Fever jerseys until August due to Nike blunder
EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Could William and Harry be reunited at the Duke of Westminster's wedding?
With QB Cousins joining strong foundation on offense, Falcons may target edge rusher in NFL draft
How Katharine, Duchess of Kent bagged a royal prince