Post by Logan on Jan 27, 2016 21:46:26 GMT -6
A Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill despite the objections of open government advocates who say the legislation will make it more difficult for citizens to gain access to public records. The Government Oversight Committee cleared SB 1220 on a 3 – 0 vote.
The measure by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Miami, is designed to combat what Garcia called a “cottage industry” of lawyers seeking a quick profit by filing numerous public records requests and then suing governments for non-compliance when the records are not delivered in a timely manner.
Current law does not define what is “timely.”
Garcia’s remedy is to provide the judge with discretion in awarding attorney fees when a government is sued. He said he seeks to turn a mandated judge “shall award” to a “may award” fees.
Read more: www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/26/committee-oks-public-records-restriction/79362112/
The measure by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Miami, is designed to combat what Garcia called a “cottage industry” of lawyers seeking a quick profit by filing numerous public records requests and then suing governments for non-compliance when the records are not delivered in a timely manner.
Current law does not define what is “timely.”
Garcia’s remedy is to provide the judge with discretion in awarding attorney fees when a government is sued. He said he seeks to turn a mandated judge “shall award” to a “may award” fees.
Read more: www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/26/committee-oks-public-records-restriction/79362112/