HLS 13RS-2232 ENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 129
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROADWATER
PUBLIC RECORDS: Directs each public body that has a custodian of public records to
make the identity and contact information of the custodian available to the public
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To direct each public body that has a custodian of public records to make the identity and2
contact information of its custodian available to the public in a manner that will3
allow a member of the public to quickly determine the appropriate person to whom4
a public records request should be submitted, including by placing such information5
on the Internet.6
WHEREAS, the Constitution of Louisiana recognizes the right of the people of the7
state to participate directly in the affairs of government in providing, in Article XII,8
Section 3, that no person shall be denied the right to examine public documents, except as9
provided by law; and10
WHEREAS, the legislature enacted the Public Records Law to provide relative to11
this right; and12
WHEREAS, the Public Records Law applies to each "public body", which term is13
defined to include any branch, department, office, agency, board, commission, district,14
governing authority, political subdivision, or any committee, subcommittee, advisory board,15
or task force thereof, any other instrumentality of state, parish, or municipal government,16
including a public or quasi-public nonprofit corporation designated as an entity to perform17
a governmental or proprietary function, or an affiliate of a housing authority; and18
WHEREAS, the Public Records Law establishes a framework for the ready19
availability of public records to requesting persons; and20 HLS 13RS-2232 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 129
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WHEREAS, the Public Records Law specifically provides that it is the duty of the1
custodian of the public records of a public body to provide copies to persons so requesting;2
and3
WHEREAS, the identity and contact information for most custodians of public4
records are not readily available to members of the public; and5
WHEREAS, many public bodies contain other public bodies which may have their6
own custodians, although this is not always the case; and7
WHEREAS, it is therefore difficult in many instances for a member of the public to8
determine to whom a public records request should be submitted; and9
WHEREAS, this difficulty increases the time and expense involved in examining10
public records and thereby impedes the public's ability to exercise this important right11
granted in the constitution; and12
WHEREAS, the Internet has become an important resource for the public to obtain13
important information, including information concerning government.14
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby15
direct each public body that has a custodian of public records to make the identity and16
contact information of its custodian available to the public in a manner that will allow a17
member of the public to quickly determine the appropriate person to whom a public records18
request should be submitted, including by placing such information on the Internet.19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the20
chief justice of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, each statewide elected official, the chief21
executive officer of each department in the executive branch of state government, the22
speaker of the House of Representatives, the president of the Senate, the Louisiana23
Municipal Association, the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, and the Louisiana School24
Boards Association.25 HLS 13RS-2232 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 129
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Broadwater HCR No. 129
Directs each public body that has a custodian of public records to make the identity and
contact information of its custodian available to the public in a manner that will allow a
member of the public to quickly determine the appropriate person to whom a public records
request should be submitted, including by placing such information on the Internet.