AB 1819 — Inspection of public records: use of requester's reproduction equipment.

Summary

Existing law, the California Public Records Act, requires public records to be open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency that retains those records, and provides that every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as provided. The California Public Records Act requires state and local agencies to make public records available upon receipt of a request for a copy that reasonably describes an identifiable record not otherwise exempt from disclosure, and upon payment of fees to cover costs. This bill would grant a requester who inspects a disclosable record on the premises of the agency the right to use the requester's equipment on those premises, without being charged any fees or costs, to photograph or otherwise copy or reproduce the record in a manner that does not require the equipment to make physical contact with the record, unless the means of copy or reproduction would result in damage to the record, or unauthorized access to a computer system of the agency or secured network, as specified. The bill would authorize the agency to impose any reasonable limits on the use of the requester's equipment that are necessary to protect the safety of the records or to prevent the copying of records from being an unreasonable burden to the orderly function of the agency and its employees. The bill would authorize the agency to impose any limit that is necessary to maintain the integrity of, or ensure the long-term preservation of, historic or high-value records. By imposing additional duties and responsibilities upon local agencies in connection with requests for inspection of records, this bill constitutes a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires local agencies, for the purpose of ensuring public access to the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies, to comply with a statutory enactment that amends or enacts laws relating to public records or open meetings and contains findings demonstrating that the enactment furthers the constitutional requirements relating to this purpose. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Text

• Chaptered 10/09/19 - Chaptered Current pdf October 09, 2019
• Enrolled 09/16/19 - Enrolled pdf September 16, 2019
• Amended 08/30/19 - Amended Senate pdf August 30, 2019
• Amended 04/11/19 - Amended Assembly pdf April 11, 2019
• Amended 03/28/19 - Amended Assembly pdf March 28, 2019
• Introduced 03/06/19 - Introduced pdf March 06, 2019
• AB1819 View text html

Action History

1. October 09, 2019

   Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 695, Statutes of 2019.

2. October 09, 2019

   Approved by the Governor.

3. September 23, 2019

   Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.

4. September 10, 2019

   Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3242.).

5. September 06, 2019

   In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after September 8 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.

6. September 05, 2019

   Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2585.).

7. September 03, 2019

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

8. August 30, 2019

   Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

9. August 30, 2019

   From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 30).

10. August 12, 2019

    In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

11. July 03, 2019

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (July 2). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

12. June 12, 2019

    Referred to Com. on JUD.

13. May 06, 2019

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

14. May 06, 2019

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 1513.)

15. April 25, 2019

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

16. April 24, 2019

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 24).

17. April 22, 2019

    Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

18. April 11, 2019

    Read second time and amended.

19. April 10, 2019

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 9).

20. April 01, 2019

    Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

21. March 28, 2019

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.

22. March 28, 2019

    Referred to Com. on JUD.

23. March 07, 2019

    From printer. May be heard in committee April 6.

24. March 06, 2019

    Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Committee on Judiciary · Primary

Votes

Subjects