Arizona 56th Legislature - First Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 8 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 2808 — public records; time frame

Last action — Senate Second Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 56th Legislature - First Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

131 added · 14 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill, HB 2808, has been updated to include clearer guidelines for public records requests. It no longer specifies that public bodies must respond within five business days, but it maintains that they must provide contact information for someone who can assist with requests. Additionally, if a public body intentionally ignores a request, they could face a civil penalty ranging from $500 to $5,000. These changes aim to improve transparency and ensure accountability for fulfilling public records requests.

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Fifty-sixth Legislature Government First Regular Session H.B.
House Engrossed public records;
2808 PROPOSED HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AMENDMENTS TO H.B.
time frame State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session HOUSE BILL 2808 AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 39-121.01 AND 39-171, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES;
2808 (Reference to printed bill) Page 1, line 42, strike "FIVE" insert "FIFTEEN" Page 2, line 24, strike "FIVE" insert "FIFTEEN" Page 3, lines 5, 8 and 11, strike "FIVE" insert "FIFTEEN" Amend title to conform TIMOTHY M.
RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS.
DUNN 2808DUNN.docx 02/14/2023 11:00 AM H:
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE) - i - H.B.
FK/ls
2808 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1.
Section 39-121.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
39-121.01.
Definitions;
maintenance of records;
requests for copies, printouts, photographs or mailing of public records;
examination by mail;
index;
in-person access;
denial of request;
civil penalty A.
In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
1.
"Officer" means any person WHO IS elected or appointed to hold any elective or appointive office of any public body and any chief administrative officer, head, director, superintendent or chairman CHAIRPERSON of any public body.
2.
"Public body" means this state, any county, city, town, school district, political subdivision or tax-supported district in this state, any branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council or committee of the foregoing, and any public organization or agency, THAT IS supported in whole or in part by monies from this state or any political subdivision of this state, or expending THAT SPENDS monies provided by this state or any political subdivision of this state.
B.
All officers and public bodies shall maintain all records, including records as defined in section 41-151, THAT ARE reasonably necessary or appropriate to maintain an accurate knowledge of their official activities and of any of their activities that are supported by monies from this state or any political subdivision of this state.
C.
Each public body shall be IS responsible for the preservation, maintenance and care of PRESERVING, MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR that body's public records, and each officer shall be IS responsible for the preservation, maintenance and care of PRESERVING, MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR that officer's public records.
It shall be IS the duty of each such body to carefully secure, protect and preserve public records from deterioration, mutilation, loss or destruction, unless THE PUBLIC RECORD IS disposed of pursuant to sections 41-151.15 and 41-151.19.
D.
Subject to section 39-121.03:
1.
Any person may request to examine or be furnished copies, printouts or photographs of any public record during regular office hours or may request that the custodian mail a copy of any public record THAT IS not otherwise available on the public body's website to the requesting person.
The custodian may require any person requesting that the custodian mail a copy of any public record to pay in advance for any copying and postage charges.
The custodian of such records shall, promptly IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 39-171, furnish such copies, printouts or photographs and may charge a fee if the facilities are available, except that public records for purposes listed in section 39-122 or 39-127 shall be furnished without charge.
- 1 - H.B.
2808 2.
If requested, the custodian of the records of an agency shall also furnish an index of records or categories of records that have been withheld and the reasons the records or categories of records have been withheld from the requesting person.
The custodian shall not include in the index information that is expressly made privileged or confidential in statute or a court order.
This paragraph shall not be construed by an administrative tribunal or a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent or require an order compelling a public body other than an agency to furnish an index.
For the purposes of this paragraph, "agency" has the same meaning prescribed in section 41-1001 but does not include the department of public safety, the department of transportation motor vehicle division, the department of juvenile corrections and the state department of corrections.
3.
If the custodian of a public record does not have facilities for making copies, printouts or photographs of a public record that a person has a right to inspect, the person shall be granted access to the public record for the purpose of making copies, printouts or photographs.
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The copies, printouts or photographs shall be made while the public record is in the possession, custody and control of the custodian of the public record and shall be IS subject to the supervision of the custodian.
E.
Access to a public record is deemed denied if a THE custodian EITHER:
1.
Fails to promptly respond to a request for production of a public record IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 39-171.
or 2.
Fails to provide to the requesting person an index of any record or categories of records that are withheld from production pursuant to subsection D, paragraph 2 of this section.
F.
IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT A PUBLIC BODY WILFULLY OR INTENTIONALLY REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH THIS SECTION OR OTHERWISE ACTS IN BAD FAITH, THE PUBLIC BODY SHALL BE ASSESSED A CIVIL PENALTY OF AT LEAST $500 BUT NOT MORE THAN $5,000 FOR EACH OCCURRENCE.
IN ASSESSING THE CIVIL PENALTY, THE AGGRAVATION OR MITIGATION OF THE PUBLIC BODY AND WHETHER THE PUBLIC BODY HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN ASSESSED PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED.
Sec.
2.
Section 39-171, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
39-171.
Public records;
requests;
point of contact;
notification of receipt;
civil penalty A.
Any entity that is subject to a public records request pursuant to this chapter shall provide the name, telephone number and email address of an employee or department that is authorized and able to provide the information requested or able to forward the request to an employee or department that is authorized and able to provide the information requested.
This information shall be made available to the public on the website maintained by the entity.
- 2 - H.B.
2808 B.
Except if the entity maintains a centralized online portal for submission of public records requests that provides A receipt on submission of a request, an employee or department that is authorized and able to provide information requested pursuant to subsection A of this section shall reply within five business days acknowledging receipt of the request.
AN ENTITY THAT IS SUBJECT TO A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER SHALL PROVIDE, WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF ANY REQUEST FOR PUBLIC RECORDS, A NOTIFICATION THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
1.
THAT THE REQUEST HAS BEEN RECEIVED.
2.
CONTACT INFORMATION PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION A OF THIS SECTION.
3.
THE EXPECTED DATE THE REQUEST WILL BE PROCESSED.
C.
THIS SECTION DOES NOT PREVENT AN ENTITY FROM SUBSEQUENTLY NOTIFYING A REQUESTOR OF A PUBLIC RECORD OF THE DENIAL OR DELAY OF THE REQUEST.
D.
IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT AN ENTITY WILFULLY OR INTENTIONALLY REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH THIS SECTION OR OTHERWISE ACTS IN BAD FAITH, THE ENTITY SHALL BE ASSESSED A CIVIL PENALTY OF AT LEAST $500 BUT NOT MORE THAN $5,000 FOR EACH OCCURRENCE.
IN ASSESSING THE CIVIL PENALTY, THE AGGRAVATION OR MITIGATION OF THE ENTITY AND WHETHER THE ENTITY HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN ASSESSED PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED.
- 3 -
View plain text versions (4)

How this bill changes current law

7 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing laws governing public records requests to clarify requirements for response times and introduce penalties for non-compliance.

  • 39-121.01

    that is supported → THAT IS SUPPORTED

    Emphasizes that public organizations or agencies must be supported by state money to be considered public bodies.

  • 39-121.01

    shall be → IS

    Changes the wording to be more assertive regarding the responsibilities of public bodies.

  • 39-121.01

    in accordance with section 39-171, → IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 39-171,

    Clarifies that the process for furnishing records is governed by another specified section.

  • 39-171

    provides A receipt on submission of a request → PROVIDES A RECEIPT ON SUBMISSION OF A REQUEST

    Clarifies the requirement for entities with an online portal regarding acknowledging requests.

  • 39-171

    not later than five business days acknowledging receipt of the request. → WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF ANY REQUEST FOR PUBLIC RECORDS, A NOTIFICATION THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

    Changes the timeline for notification of public records requests to be more specific.

  • 39-171

    the denial or delay of the request. → OF THE DENIAL OR DELAY OF THE REQUEST.

    Clarifies that notification can include denial or delay of the request.

  • 39-171

    shall be assessed a civil penalty of at least $500 but not more than $5,000 for each occurrence. → SHALL BE ASSESSED A CIVIL PENALTY OF AT LEAST $500 BUT NOT MORE THAN $5,000 FOR EACH OCCURRENCE.

    Reiterates the penalties for entities that refuse to comply with the public records law.

Action History

  1. Senate Second Reading

  2. Senate First Reading

  3. Transmit to Senate

  4. PASSED

  5. DPA

  6. DPA

  7. House Second Reading

  8. House First Reading.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 82 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (10)

Not signed on (82)

82 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 82 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed

Passed 57 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 17001
Republican 20002
Unaffiliated 20000
Total 57003
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (60)
Member Party Vote
Amish Shah — Yea
Andres Cano — Yea
Athena Salman — Yea
Austin Smith — Yea
Barbara Parker — Yea
Ben Toma — Yea
Cory McGarr — Yea
David L. Cook — Yea
Jacqueline Parker — Yea
Jennifer Longdon — Yea
Jennifer Pawlik — Yea
Judy Schwiebert — Yea
Justin Heap — Yea
Keith Seaman — Yea
Laura Terech — Yea
Leezah Elsa Sun — Yea
Liz Harris — Yea
Marcelino Quiñonez — Yea
Melody Hernandez — Yea
Travis W. Grantham — Yea
Alma Hernandez Democrat Not Voting
Analise Ortiz Democrat Yea
Cesar Aguilar Democrat Yea
Christopher Mathis Democrat Yea
Consuelo Hernandez Democrat Yea
Flavio Bravo Democrat Yea
Lorena Austin Democrat Yea
Lupe Contreras Democrat Yea
Lydia Hernandez Democrat Yea
Mae Peshlakai Democrat Yea
Mariana Sandoval Democrat Yea
Myron Tsosie Democrat Yea
Nancy Gutierrez Democrat Yea
Oscar De Los Santos Democrat Yea
Patty Contreras Democrat Yea
Seth Blattman Democrat Yea
Stacey Travers Democrat Yea
Stephanie Stahl Hamilton Democrat Yea
Alexander Kolodin Republican Yea
Beverly Pingerelli Republican Yea
David Livingston Republican Yea
David Marshall, Sr. Republican Yea
Gail Griffin Republican Not Voting
John Gillette Republican Yea
Joseph Chaplik Republican Yea
Justin Wilmeth Republican Yea
Kevin Payne Republican Yea
Laurin Hendrix Republican Yea
Leo Biasiucci Republican Yea
Lupe Diaz Republican Yea
Matt Gress Republican Yea
Michael Carbone Republican Yea
Michele Peña Republican Yea
Neal Carter Republican Yea
Quang H Nguyen Republican Yea
Rachel Keshel Republican Yea
Selina Bliss Republican Yea
Steve Montenegro Republican Not Voting
Teresa Martinez Republican Yea
Timothy "Tim" Dunn Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2808?
HB 2808 is sponsored by Justin Wilmeth (Republican), Michele Peña (Republican), Steve Montenegro (Republican), Teresa Martinez (Republican), Matt Gress (Republican), Timothy "Tim" Dunn (Republican), Seth Blattman (Democrat), Leo Biasiucci (Republican), Michael Carbone (Republican), Marcelino Quiñonez, and Leezah Elsa Sun.
What is the current status of HB 2808?
This bill died with 56th Legislature - First Regular Session. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 2808?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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