California 2015-2016 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 1 R · 1 D cosponsors

AB 1707 — Public records: response to request.

Last action — In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

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

This bill died with 2015-2016 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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.

Summary

The California Public Records Act requires state and local agencies to make public records available for inspection, unless an exemption from disclosure applies. Existing law requires an agency to justify withholding any record by demonstrating that the record is exempt under express provisions of the act or that the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure. The act requires a response to a written request for public records that includes a denial of the request, in whole or in part, to be in writing. This bill would require the written response demonstrating that the record in question is exempt under an express provision of the act also to identify the type or types of record withheld and the specific exemption that justifies withholding that type of record. Because local agencies would be required to comply with this new requirement, this bill would impose 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

Action History

  1. In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  2. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  3. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (March 29). Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.

  4. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

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

  6. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  7. Referred to Com. on JUD.

  8. From printer. May be heard in committee February 25.

  9. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

  • Brough · Cosponsor
  • Dababneh · Cosponsor
  • Hadley · Cosponsor
  • Tom Lackey · Cosponsor
  • Linder · Primary
  • Olsen · Cosponsor
  • Robert Garcia · Cosponsor
  • Travis Allen · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 114 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Linder

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (114)

114 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 114 →

"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

Subjects

civil-rights elections
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

What does AB 1707 do?
The California Public Records Act requires state and local agencies to make public records available for inspection, unless an exemption from disclosure applies. Existing law requires an agency to justify withholding any record by demonstrating that the record is exempt under express provisions of the act or that the public interest served by not disclosing the record clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure. The act requires a response to a written request for public records that includes a denial of the request, in whole or in part, to be in writing. This bill would require the written response demonstrating that the record in question is exempt under an express provision of the act also to identify the type or types of record withheld and the specific exemption that justifies withholding that type of record. Because local agencies would be required to comply with this new requirement, this bill would impose 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.
Who sponsors AB 1707?
AB 1707 is sponsored by Brough, Dababneh, Hadley, Lackey, Tom (Republican), Linder, Olsen, Garcia, Robert (Democratic), and Travis Allen.
What is the current status of AB 1707?
This bill died with 2015-2016 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” 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 AB 1707?
Track AB 1707 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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