Researcher: JP Page 1 4/15/21
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5011
AN ACT CONCERNING THE COPYING OF PUBLIC RECORDS
UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
SUMMARY
This bill reduces or eliminates fees for copying public records under
the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as follows:
1. reduces the maximum fee public agencies (see BACKGROUND)
may charge to $0.15 per page, excluding land records, which
may be charged up to $1 per agency-copied page (under current
law, state governmental entities may charge up to $0.25 per
page and other public agencies may charge up to $0.50 per
page);
2. reduces the fee that public agencies can charge for additional
certified pages from $0.50 to $0.15 (the $1.00 fee for the first
certified page remains unchanged); and
3. prohibits public agencies from charging individuals a fee for
copying public records, excluding land records, using a
handheld scanner (e.g., mobile phone or camera).
Currently, public agencies may establish their own fee structure, up
to a maximum of $20 for each time an individual copies public records
at the agency using a handheld scanner. For land records, the bill
maintains public agencies’ ability to charge these individuals up to $20
per day. FOIA currently defines “handheld scanner” as a battery-
operated electronic scanning device that (1) leaves no mark or
impression on the public record and (2) does not unreasonably
interfere with the public agency’s operation.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021 2021HB-05011-R000465-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JP Page 2 4/15/21
BACKGROUND
Public Agency
Generally, under FOIA, a public agency is any (1) state, municipal,
regional, or quasi-public agency or (2) entity that is the functional
equivalent of these agencies (CGS § 1-200(1)).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 18 Nay 0 (03/29/2021)