New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2202

Introduced

2/7/22

Refer

2/7/22

Caption

Clarifies that electronic public records do not have to be converted to different electronic formats under the State's open public records law.

Impact

The implications of A2202 are significant for the public's access to government records. By allowing public agencies to either convert records at their discretion or provide them in the format they currently maintain, the bill aims to relieve the burden of compliance on these agencies. This should lead to a more efficient handling of public records requests, thus enhancing overall transparency and accountability in governmental operations.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2202 seeks to clarify the obligations of public agencies concerning the conversion of public records to electronic formats under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act. The bill specifies that a public agency is not required to convert a record into a different electronic format unless that specific format is already maintained by the agency. This change addresses potential ambiguities in existing laws and aims to streamline the process of managing public record requests.

Contention

While the bill appears to simplify compliance for public agencies, concerns have been raised regarding the potential decrease in accessibility for citizens seeking public records in specific electronic formats. Critics argue that this may inadvertently limit public access to information and could create disparities based on the technological capabilities of different agencies. This debate highlights the ongoing tension between operational efficiency for government entities and the principles of transparency and public access inherent in open records laws.