Connecticut House Bill HB05261

Connecticut 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/18
• Refer: 2/27/18

Caption

An Act Concerning Fees Charged By Municipalities Under The Freedom Of Information Act.

Impact

The legislation is slated to enhance transparency in governmental operations while balancing municipalities’ needs to recover costs. By permitting municipalities to impose higher fees for commercial requests, the bill aims to deter excessive or frivolous requests while ensuring that public records remain accessible. Although this is expected to provide funding for the costs incurred by municipalities, critics argue this might limit access for individuals seeking information for non-commercial purposes.

Summary

House Bill 05261, introduced in 2018, addresses fees charged by municipalities under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill allows municipal bodies to establish a schedule of additional reasonable fees for copies of public records when such records are requested for commercial purposes. This provision is particularly significant as it clarifies how public agencies can charge for electronic copies and other forms, ensuring that these charges reflect the costs associated with producing these records.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB05261 is its implications for transparency and the public's right to access information. Supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary measure to manage the costs associated with fulfilling public records requests, particularly when these requests are made for commercial gain. On the other hand, opponents express concern that the higher fees could pose a barrier for ordinary citizens and advocacy groups seeking access to information, potentially impacting democratic accountability.