Assigned to GOV AS PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1148
law enforcement; video recordings; fee
Purpose
Allows a county, city, town or any political subdivision to establish a fee for a public
records request to a local law enforcement agency for a copy of a video recording.
Background
All officers and public bodies must maintain records to keep an accurate knowledge of
their official activities, including activities that are supported by public monies. Public records and
other matters in the custody of an officer of a public body must be open to inspection by any
person. Any entity that is subject to a public records request must provide the name, telephone
number and email address of an employee or department that is authorized and able to provide the
information requested. A county or city may not demand or receive a fee or compensation for
issuing certified copies of public records or for having to search public records if the request will
be used in connection with a claim for a pension, allotment, allowance, compensation, insurance
or other benefits (A.R.S. Title 39, Chapter 1).
A victim of a criminal offense or a delinquent act has a right to request a copy of the police
report and transcript from the investigating law enforcement agency free of charge (A.R.S. § 39-127).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a county, city, town or any political subdivision to establish a fee that is charged to a
person who submits a public records request to a local law enforcement agency for a copy of
a video recording.
2. Allows a county, city, town or any political subdivision when determining the amount of the
fee, to take into consideration:
a) the cost of reviewing, transmitting, making a copy of and, as necessary, redacting the video
recording; and
b) any other relevant information.
3. Specifies that victims of a crime have the right to receive video recordings from the
investigating law enforcement agency free of charge.
4. Specifies that the fee for a video recording is a one-time fee per copy.
FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1148
Page 2
5. Makes technical changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
• Allows a county to establish a fee for a public records request to a local law enforcement
agency for a copy of a video recording.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Allows a political subdivision of the state to establish a fee for a public records request to a
local law enforcement agency for a copy of a video recording.
2. Specifies that victims of a crime have the right to receive video recordings from the
investigating law enforcement agency free of charge.
3. Specifies that the fee for a video recording is a one-time fee per copy.
4. Modifies the factors that may be considered when determining the amount of the fee by:
a) removing the hourly compensation of a public recorder employee;
b) removing the cost of storing the video recording; and
c) adding the cost of transmitting the video recording.
5. Makes technical changes.
Senate Action
GOV 2/15/23 DPA 5-3-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 8, 2023
AN/SB/sl